The traffic police said that action has been taken for haphazard driving, overtaking vehicles from the wrong side, violating lane discipline, using mobile phones while driving, breaching red light indicators and driving zigzag. Police have also fined motorists for turning from the wrong direction, and for modifying their vehicles. [break]
MTPD said special teams of traffic police have been deployed in civilian dress to discourage traffic rules violators.
"We cannot deploy traffic police in every nook and corner, and drivers as well as motorcyclists violate traffic rules when they do not see any police on the road," Pawan Giri, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said. Giri, who is also the spokesperson for MTPD, said that a special campaign is needed to enforce traffic rules effectively.
According to him, the trend of violating traffic rules when the police are not in sight has increased of late.
MTPD said that 403 vehicles were fined for violating rules. Of these, 215 were charged for not following lane discipline and 56 for dropping and taking passengers in prohibited areas. Sixty-five were charged for not stopping at red lights and 24 motorists were caught using mobile phones while driving.
Police said that 26 drivers were punished for not tying seat belts, 5 for ignoring traffic signs, 9 for carrying excess passengers and 3 for modifying their vehicles.
Civilian dress traffic police were deployed at Babarmahal, Kesharmahal, Koteshwor, Jayanepal and Kalimati, from 9 to 11 am. They were also deployed at Singhadarbar, Kalimati, Baneshwor south gate, Jayanepal and Krishna Pauroti from 2 to 4 pm.
Giri said MTPD has launched a campaign to make road users more accountable. "Traffic rules are for the safety of road users and common people," he added. He said that because of some offenders, people who follow the rules are adversely affected.
Traffic police have warned of action against those who tamper with their silencer pipes or use power horns. Giri said police will also spray color on the number plates of vehicles that violate rules..Every day, MTPD charges 150 to 200 vehicles for violating traffic rules.
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