Pune Police Adopt Strict New Measures Against Reckless Truck Drivers
In a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing road safety, the Pune police have initiated a stringent crackdown on heavy vehicles, particularly trucks, that flout traffic regulations. Instead of merely issuing fines, authorities are now registering cases of culpable homicide against offending drivers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Widespread Enforcement: 40 FIRs Registered Across City
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav confirmed to the Times of India that 40 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against truck drivers throughout Pune since this new strategy was implemented on November 15. The legal actions have been undertaken at numerous police stations, including those in Kharadi, Chandannagar, Yerawada, Shivajinagar, Baner, Warje, Sinhagad Road, and Swargate.
These cases are being registered under Section 110 of the BNS alongside relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. The targeted violations include driving on the wrong side of the road, signal jumping, over-speeding, and illegally entering one-way streets or roads that are prohibited for heavy vehicles.
Financial and Legal Pinch: A Stronger Deterrent
This revamped approach marks a dramatic departure from previous practices. Earlier, a traffic violation would typically result in a fine of around Rs 2,000, which truck owners would pay without significant concern, allowing the vehicle to return to the roads almost immediately.
Now, with the registration of an FIR, the consequences are far more severe. The offending vehicle is impounded and held at the police station for three to four days. This leads to substantial financial losses for the truck owner and creates numerous legal complications. As DCP Jadhav explained, the process of securing the vehicle's release requires multiple visits to the police station, consuming valuable time and resources. This combined financial and temporal penalty ensures that drivers and owners think twice before breaking the rules again.
Documented Evidence and a Safer Future
The police are ensuring that each case is backed by solid evidence. When registering an FIR, the traffic police submit a detailed statement accompanied by photographs of the violation to the respective police station.
DCP Jadhav stated that the decision to file FIRs was driven by the observation that some truck drivers were habitually breaching traffic rules, treating fines as a mere cost of business. He emphasized that when a large truck violates norms and collides with a smaller vehicle, the outcome is often a fatal accident. This tougher legal action is therefore expected to act as a major deterrent and significantly reduce fatal accidents in Pune, making the city's roads safer for all commuters.
