Bad news for traffic violators

vineethvazhayil · 30th March 2009, 18:59

I have a strong feeling that higher fines will only become a reason for higher bribes (opportunity costs, as the traffic cops would like to call it), and the bribes would remain cheaper than the fines. So, yes, increasing the penalties is one thing, making sure they are collected is the more important thing, and I really doubt if that would happen.

adzegeek · 30th March 2009, 19:19

vineethvazhayil, 99.9% of times, a bribe transaction happens because you did something wrong in the first place allowing for the cop to ask for one. With hefty fines and consequently increased bribe, you wouldnt want to be in such a situation.

So out goes the jazzy number plates, dark tints, indiscplined lane driving, smoking with windows open...

OT - Unintended consequence of the higher per bribe transaction will definitely be an increase in GDP as the cops cant put it in Fixed deposit .

prince_pervez · 30th March 2009, 19:21

Boss, I cannot pay 500 bucks to a cop! I'd prefer waiting for the signal to go green.
And this will be the attitude of most of the drivers if fines are increased.
If the Mamas increase thier stake to 400-500 instead of the regular 50-100 then all common commuters have a problem. This is the law that mamas can enforce.

gopinathann · 30th March 2009, 19:53

To minimize the bribing there should be an automated way atleast not to involve the traffic police on the roads.

Raccoon · 30th March 2009, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by adzegeek

vineethvazhayil, 99.9% of times, a bribe transaction happens because you did something wrong in the first place allowing for the cop to ask for one. With hefty fines and consequently increased bribe, you wouldnt want to be in such a situation.

So out goes the jazzy number plates, dark tints, indiscplined lane driving, smoking with windows open...

OT - Unintended consequence of the higher per bribe transaction will definitely be an increase in GDP as the cops cant put it in Fixed deposit .

You have arrived at a fantstically optimistic percentage! Those of you baying for higher fines, don't forget you may be forced to pay it for no fault of yours! Speaking from experience...

And there isn't going to be any increase in GDP as the exercise is totally non producitive. In fact it its the converse, if you think about it!!

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 30th March 2009, 21:53

Along with this, the government should stop granting exemption to builders from the requirements for minimum parking spaces.

The building rules mandate a minimum parking space for different kinds of buildings. Builders, in greed, are obtaining (errr. bribing) exemptions from these requirements. The result is that car owners are forced to use either "pay and park" or use public roads for parking vehicles.

Duh. Why should I be forced to park on the road while shopping?

shibujp · 30th March 2009, 22:21

Yeah..right!! We can have all the laws we want but nothing's gonna change. In my view, firstly the cops should enforce the law impartially. A law should be a law irrespective of whether you are a minister or just an auto driver. Auto drivers and the ilk gang up because they know that the policeman is partial in the first place. They don't have the money so they use strong arm tactics. Remember the Pepsi ad - "janta hai mera baap kon hai??" Yeah that's how the police enforce the law. Depends on your "connections"

I've got folks who don't wear helmets or seatbelts cos they "don't feel like it". Simple right?

Secondly there's a question of education. A lot of incidents happen because people jus aren't aware of the law. There is no provision to educate people. Driving school are just out to fleece you. How many driving instructors tell you to use you indicator while changing lanes? Or to stop at a junction and look either side before proceeding rather than slowly edging forward and keep the guy from the other side guessing like a "who blinks first"?

So perhaps they should keep the fines the same and start strict enforcement of the laws they've got.

Drive on!!
Shibu

janitha · 30th March 2009, 22:38

Let strict and fair enforcement tried first and if successful, it is sure to give very positive results. But with Autos, Buses and politicians, how it is going to materialize?

vasudeva · 31st March 2009, 13:30

Bad news for violators justifiably, but great news for traffic cops. As anyone who has dealt with them, higher fines mean higher bribes. I have had an experience of a senior traffic cop alongwith subordinates in a Qualis stopping me in CP, making me pay Rs. 1,500 without a receipt (with the promise of a receipt by mail). Because of circumstances at the time (in a hurry because of some bereavement), fell for it. Still waiting for a receipt for the past 19 mths. More such experiences for me.

adzegeek · 31st March 2009, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasudeva

I have had an experience of a senior traffic cop alongwith subordinates in a Qualis stopping me in CP, making me pay Rs. 1,500 without a receipt (with the promise of a receipt by mail).

Vasudeva, what did you do to deserve 1500 fine? He must not have just disliked you just for the sake of it.

invincible7 · 31st March 2009, 15:41

In yesterdays TOI edition (Delhi), there was a point on the list mentioning fancy lights and a fine against using them. What would be under these fancy lights for a car, would that be Projectors and LED's for rear.

arin_12 · 31st March 2009, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by invincible7

In yesterdays TOI edition (Delhi), there was a point on the list mentioning fancy lights and a fine against using them. What would be under these fancy lights for a car, would that be Projectors and LED's for rear.

I think LED at the rear should not make any problem. But the HID should be a problem for all the Car. People are using 4 HID at the City limit which makes conplete blind.
And also I have seen a car fitted with a light which keep blinking. And the power of the light is too much.

abhijeetsng · 31st March 2009, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by invincible7

In yesterdays TOI edition (Delhi), there was a point on the list mentioning fancy lights and a fine against using them. What would be under these fancy lights for a car, would that be Projectors and LED's for rear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arin_12

I think LED at the rear should not make any problem. But the HID should be a problem for all the Car. People are using 4 HID at the City limit which makes conplete blind.
And also I have seen a car fitted with a light which keep blinking. And the power of the light is too much.

Stobe lights (flashing lights), white lights, colored lights would welcome a challan.
The only lights allowed on headlights are the stock ones or similar in color. Intensity can be increased.
This challan is valid only for the lights which are in the front of the car.
In short, keep the car simple.

IMHO, the increase is fine can deter people breaking rules. While, on the other hand, there can also be an increase in the demand for bribing policemen.

Lets see whats in store.

30th March 2009, 18:59	#16
vineethvazhayil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,513 Thanked: 456 Times View My Garage	I have a strong feeling that higher fines will only become a reason for higher bribes (opportunity costs, as the traffic cops would like to call it), and the bribes would remain cheaper than the fines. So, yes, increasing the penalties is one thing, making sure they are collected is the more important thing, and I really doubt if that would happen.
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 19:19	#17
adzegeek BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Special admin z Posts: 284 Thanked: 29 Times	vineethvazhayil, 99.9% of times, a bribe transaction happens because you did something wrong in the first place allowing for the cop to ask for one. With hefty fines and consequently increased bribe, you wouldnt want to be in such a situation. So out goes the jazzy number plates, dark tints, indiscplined lane driving, smoking with windows open... OT - Unintended consequence of the higher per bribe transaction will definitely be an increase in GDP as the cops cant put it in Fixed deposit .
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 19:21	#18
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,210 Thanked: 51 Times View My Garage	Boss, I cannot pay 500 bucks to a cop! I'd prefer waiting for the signal to go green. And this will be the attitude of most of the drivers if fines are increased. If the Mamas increase thier stake to 400-500 instead of the regular 50-100 then all common commuters have a problem. This is the law that mamas can enforce.
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 19:53	#19
gopinathann BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 765 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	To minimize the bribing there should be an automated way atleast not to involve the traffic police on the roads.
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 21:53	#21
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,522 Thanked: 752 Times	Along with this, the government should stop granting exemption to builders from the requirements for minimum parking spaces. The building rules mandate a minimum parking space for different kinds of buildings. Builders, in greed, are obtaining (errr. bribing) exemptions from these requirements. The result is that car owners are forced to use either "pay and park" or use public roads for parking vehicles. Duh. Why should I be forced to park on the road while shopping?
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 22:21	#22
shibujp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1,753 Thanked: 3,222 Times View My Garage	Yeah..right!! We can have all the laws we want but nothing's gonna change. In my view, firstly the cops should enforce the law impartially. A law should be a law irrespective of whether you are a minister or just an auto driver. Auto drivers and the ilk gang up because they know that the policeman is partial in the first place. They don't have the money so they use strong arm tactics. Remember the Pepsi ad - "janta hai mera baap kon hai??" Yeah that's how the police enforce the law. Depends on your "connections" I've got folks who don't wear helmets or seatbelts cos they "don't feel like it". Simple right? Secondly there's a question of education. A lot of incidents happen because people jus aren't aware of the law. There is no provision to educate people. Driving school are just out to fleece you. How many driving instructors tell you to use you indicator while changing lanes? Or to stop at a junction and look either side before proceeding rather than slowly edging forward and keep the guy from the other side guessing like a "who blinks first"? So perhaps they should keep the fines the same and start strict enforcement of the laws they've got. Drive on!! Shibu
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 22:38	#23
janitha BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kollam, Kerala Posts: 368 Thanked: 2 Times	Let strict and fair enforcement tried first and if successful, it is sure to give very positive results. But with Autos, Buses and politicians, how it is going to materialize?
	() Thanks

31st March 2009, 13:30	#24
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	Bad news for violators justifiably, but great news for traffic cops. As anyone who has dealt with them, higher fines mean higher bribes. I have had an experience of a senior traffic cop alongwith subordinates in a Qualis stopping me in CP, making me pay Rs. 1,500 without a receipt (with the promise of a receipt by mail). Because of circumstances at the time (in a hurry because of some bereavement), fell for it. Still waiting for a receipt for the past 19 mths. More such experiences for me.
	() Thanks

31st March 2009, 15:41	#26
invincible7 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Delhi NCR Posts: 665 Thanked: 173 Times	In yesterdays TOI edition (Delhi), there was a point on the list mentioning fancy lights and a fine against using them. What would be under these fancy lights for a car, would that be Projectors and LED's for rear.
	() Thanks