Kochi traffic violators roam free

[1]

The Ernakulam Motor Vehicle Department is fighting an acute staff shortage that has resulted in many traffic offenders going scot free.

It’s hard to believe, but the 15 CCTV cameras installed on the Vytilla-Cherthala section are detecting more than 4,000 violations in a single day, most of them being offences such as using mobile phones while driving, over-speeding and jumping signals.

Most cases are recorded in Vytilla where five of the modern CCTV cameras are installed. But, with the present staff strength, notices to only 150 offenders are being issued daily, according to MVD sources in the Ernakulam zone.

The MVD’s main zonal office at Kakkanad currently has only 22 staff against the required strength of 60. The sub-offices in the city — Tripunithura, Mattancher-ry, Aluva, Angamaly and Paravoor — function with four officials each.

When contacted, P.A. Sainudheen, deputy transport commissioner, admitted that there was a staff shortage. “We will increase the strength of the enforcement team... With the mass recruitment, we plan to cover areas from Cherthala to Mannuthy with CCTV cameras.

Here, 4,000 deaths have occurred in the last few years. Besides fines, we plan to give awareness clas-ses to violators,” he said.

The latest CCTV equipment can detect running a red-light and over-speeding. The department
levies a fine of `1,000 for red-light violation and `300 for over-speeding.