Mumbai Traffic Police wins a prize!
Ever heard of the Overdrive award? I hadn’t until I stumbled across it while surfing the Mumbai Traffic Police website. The Mumbai Traffic Police won the Overdrive Award this month in a formal ceremony on the 11th of January, 2008 in New Delhi. This is why:
…for the efforts undertaken in 2007 in making the roads of Mumbai city much safer- be it in the strict enforcement of drink driving laws, discouraging usage of mobile phones and other distractions while driving and adoption of safety restraint systems like seat-belts and helmets to ensuring traffic flows smoothly and thus resulting in fewer accidents and mishaps…
Driving in Mumbai has got tougher of late. You never know where a cop is lurking! On a lighter note, here are some signboards put up by the Mumbai Traffic Police…
Some reminders from the Mumbai Traffic Police Department:
- Windscreens and rear windows should allow at least 70 percent light and side windows should allow at least 50 percent light.
- Seat belts a must for the driver and the person next to him.
- Drivers of four-wheelers as well as two-wheelers are not allowed to use a mobile phone. Additionally, if you are alone, your mobile need to be switched off, which means no hands – free device! Fine is Rs 100/- if you disobey. But if you are also guilty of dangerous driving, you can be fined Rs 1000/- plus a compounding fee of Rs 500/- and there’s jail as well.
- If you drink and drive, be ready to to go to jail for 6 months and/or pay a fine of up to Rs 2000. Do it again and you could go to jail for 2 years and/or pay upto Rs 3000/- as a penalty.
- If caught driving without a license you will have to pay a fine of Rs 500/- and/or go to jail for 3 months.
- Helmets are compulsory for two-wheeler riders and the pillion as well. If you are caught without one the fine is Rs 100/-
(The first picture of the prize giving ceremony is from the site of the Mumbai Traffic Police. The other 3 pictures are by me. The pix of the first signboard was taken with a cell phone camera and the second was taken with a Canon 610. The pix of the three girls on a scooter was taken in by me in Mumbai. )
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Technology to help police in cracking down on traffic offenders
Mumbai Police get tough on drunk drivers
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A wide angle view of India 
That’s good news Nita! I like the fact that people are not allowed to talk over the cell phones while driving. A similar rule should be introduced here- people drive at 60 mph while using their cell phones- something that I’ve never been able to do. So many times, they don’t take turns or block the middle lane or just stop their car on a 4-Way street(which is meant for cars who want to take left/right turns) because they are too busy talking!
Oh nice news to start the week with and I absolutely love the Indian/road signs! On the way from Delhi – Shimla it’s packed with friendly advise and well wishes for me it makes the trip so much more fun.
Nita,
This is fantastic news! Traffic cops all over the country must emulate their counterparts in Mumbai! If it brings down the fatal accidents on our roads,anything is welcome!
On a sober note,traffic fatalities have become really bad in our country.There were well over 1,00,000 deaths on our roads (killing fields!) last year and around 10,000 of them were in Tamil Nadu alone.Not to speak of the many more maimed or badly injured on our roads everyday.
I implore everyone to wear seatbelts while travelling in a car or helmets while riding a two-wheeler (both the rider and the pillion rider),follow traffic rules and drive/ride safely! Happy journey! 🙂
Ruhi, thanks. I am surprised though that in the US they allow cell phone driving! Here in Mumbai they have become very strict now and I think the reason is that there are too many road accidents.
Purnima, I agree with you about the road signs. I try to collect the funny ones. I had more, but they got deleted from my camera by mistake. I think the signs are really cute!
Raj, thank you for those well wishes for the readers! 🙂 I think traffic control in Mumbai is really the best in India, if one takes into account the little road space and the number of cars.
Its good to hear. I hope all other cities and towns in India follow the Mumbai model.
Ruhi,Nita,
They DO have bans in the US on cell phone usage while driving(unless with hands-free kit) : Some states enforce it in total, while some partially and many are debating..
Here’s a good source country wise, and breaks down state wise for the US :
http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/
On a personal note, unless you have a death wish, there’s no reason to talk on the phone while zooming at 70-80 mph. Some are so married to their cell phones that they do not put it down while ordering food or when in a public place . There’s nothing more annoying than being stuck in a queue , in the sun to tow with a moron on the cell infront of you..
Athreya, It’s not been enforced in my state. Thanks for the link.
hmm I hope Bangalore police gets inspired by this and do something similar here!
Wow… Kudos Mumbai Police. Now a days its quite visible on the mumbai roads that Mumbai traffic police has improved a lot.
CONGRATS MUMBAI POLICE !
Using cell phone while driving should be illegal, but the law shouldn’t stipulate switching off mobile phone. This prevents your family members to contact you even in case of emergency. The law should rather permit the driver to park the vehicle in a parking place, and make the call. Since most drivers in Mumbai spend more than an hour on road, this will provide an alternate to people who are intent to abide to law. If the law doesn’t provide a way, then even law abiding citizens will be forced to break the law.
Thanks.