- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 28 Jul 2024 10:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mumbai: A hefty amount of Rs 17.47 crore has been recovered through Lok Adalat in fines from motorists towards unpaid traffic challans, the Mumbai Traffic Police said in a statement on Sunday. Notably, motorists that had not cleared the challans were issued notices in advance by the police via text messages. Cases of pending challans were produced before court on Saturday. As per officials, nearly 2.4 lakh challans were pending.
Transport activists feel that expecting people to pay up on their own is not going to work and a mechanism for fine payment has to be developed. "When motorists understand that the consequences of violating laws are severe, they will think twice before breaking them," said an activist, as quoted by a TOI report.
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Lok Adalat has been one of the key mechanisms for recovering unpaid challans. Besides, traffic police have been checking challans on vehicles when they pass toll nakas and asking them to pay up all previous unpaid challans at a go.
In metropolitan cities, traffic challans are issued to people unknowingly several times. However, many people knowingly also break traffic rules frequently that result in numerous challans being issued by the traffic police daily. Hence, we have outlined specific violations that result in a court challan. Make sure that you are not making these mistakes to avoid paying a challan.
Don’t Ignore Road Signs
At traffic lights, there are zebra crossings and stop signs indicating where vehicles should halt. However, many drivers ignore these signs, violating Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act and face court challans as a consequence.
No Underage Driving
If a person under 18 years of age (a juvenile) commits a traffic offense, the police take action under Motor Vehicle Act 199A, issuing a court challan.
Don’t Drive Old Vehicles
Driving a diesel vehicle older than 10 years or a petrol vehicle older than 15 years is against the law under sections 39/192/207 of the Motor Vehicle Act. The traffic police issue a court challan for this violation.
Don’t Ignore Traffic Signals
Ignoring traffic signals and jumping a red light can lead to a court challan under section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act. The same section applies if someone overtakes vehicles incorrectly, resulting in challan being issued by the authorities.
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Don’t Drive Recklessly
Dangerous driving or driving in the wrong direction is another serious offense under section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which results in a court challan from the traffic police.
Don’t Drink And Drive
Lastly, driving under the influence of alcohol is a violation of section 185 of Motor Vehicle Act. Despite several warning signs on the road by the authorities against drunk driving, if you are caught driving while being intoxicated then a court challan will be issued.