Breaking traffic rules in Hyderabad will not just cost the violator his or her driving license but also hamper the chances of getting visa for travelling abroad or getting a new job. The Hyderabad Traffic Police is making data of those convicted under various traffic violations public. Despite repeated awareness campaign by the Traffic Police against drunken driving, officials say people don’t obey basic traffic rules. Over 1500 people have been imprisoned for drunk driving till May.
But this careless attitude may prove to be a deterrent for offenders applying for visa or a job. “Photographs and complete details on the conviction and violations can be known about the person. If someone wants to hire a driver, you can check the background. Even US embassy and other consulates may use such data,” Hyderabad DCP Traffic AV Ranganath said.
Acting on the Supreme Court’s directions, Hyderabad Traffic Police has decided to take strict action against repeat offenders by suspending their driving license.
According to police, in the last three months, over 500 driving licenses have been recommended for suspension to the transport department.
In cases of drunk driving, the license will be suspended if the offender is caught for the second time. In other traffic violations, like using mobile phone while driving and jumping a traffic signal, the license will be suspended if caught thrice. “Earlier violations were booked only on vehicle. Now the new system that we have adopted in Hyderabad is driver centric challan. The history of offenders in our data is being used to recommend suspension of license,” Ranganath said. Show cause notices seeking explanations are being served to violators by the transport department. But with photographic records of violations with the traffic police, the process is merely a formality.
