Safety of Mumbaikars on the road is in the hands of Traffic Police. It is their duty to nab the offenders of the law and impose a fine . Till last year, Mumbai was a very disciplined city, with majority of the people observing traffic rules, in comparison to other major cities in India. But, in the recent past, we find the traffic police being beaten up by the two wheeler riders, when they were stopped for checking at the check post. In many cases, the two wheeler riders have knocked down the policemen on duty, to avoid check.
Traffic Constable Late Vilas Shinde
Few days ago Vilas Shinde a traffic cop on duty at Khar, Mumbai stopped a minor driving motor cycle and asked for his license. Since he was a minor, he was asked to call his guardians. After sometime, his guardian came with a hard wooden rod and hit it on the head of the policeman. The injury was so severe that Vilas Shinde later died in hospital.
This is just one case. There are many such cases, where the motor cycle riders or car drivers have assaulted policemen on duty. A lady traffic cop, who stopped the car of a politician was beaten up by him. There rising incidences of attack on policemen. Recently, we even saw the wives of these policemen asking the state Government to provide a weapon to their husband for their safety, while on duty. There is also a suggestion to equip their uniform with a hidden camera to capture and record such incidences.
Helmets are made compulsory in Mumbai for two wheeler riders. But, how many riders are abiding the law? General observation is that two wheeler riders from south Mumbai, especially Fort, Colaba, Marine Lines, Charni Road, Girgaon and Dadar observe it. But, in other parts , majority of them don’t don’t wear helmets. Majority of the people People staying far away from railway stations , don’t use helmets, when they are moving within their areas. Helmets are only used, while travelling on western express highway. Is this because there is not strict checking or the fine imposed is very less?
But, law abiding citizens feel that the fine and punishment for such offences is not enough. The fine should be raised much more, for such offences of breaking traffic rules and those who beat the police, should be served severe punishments. It’s high time, we need to impose the traffic rules strictly, to avoid such happenings. Now days, on eastern and western express highway, after 10 pm, we often see groups of motor cycle riders moving from Bandra to Dahisar and Sion to Vashi, riding without helmets with triple seat. There should be strict vigil during this time to nab such offenders, whose bikes also make loud noise. There should also be strict law to stop this noise. During mid night hours, there many such youngsters, who drive their motor cycles with a loud noise of firecrackers, disturbing the sleep of citizens. Even some four wheelers keep blowing trheir horn, for no reason. We also fail to understand, why ambulances keep blowing their sirens, when they are moving on free roads, during late night hours ? The silencer part is not applicable in their vehicles.
We have big hopes from the Government and Police administration, to stop this nuisance too. Evcery citizen living in this city has to observe the traffic rules strictly. And nobody can take the law into their own hands.