Police will start cracking the whip on masked number plates: DCP Kuldeep Jain

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The traffic police will deploy advanced surveillance technologies across Bengaluru city to combat the rising number of masked vehicle registration number plates.

These altered or obscured plates are often used by individuals seeking to evade traffic rules and commit crimes anonymously. Masked number plates pose a serious threat to public safety and law enforcement.

They hinder the identification of vehicles involved in criminal activities and traffic violations, complicating police investigations and jeopardising road safety.

Police are employing highresolution cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, and AI-driven software to detect and capture offenders. Public awareness campaigns are also being launched to educate citizens about the legal consequences of using masked number plates.

The initiative involves, increasing patrols, and setting up specialised task forces. Police department will collaborate with local governments to introduce stricter penalties for offenders.

In a candid interview with News Trail, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Jain (Traffic, East) said all efforts will be made to end the menace of masked number plates. Here are excerpts.

Can you provide an overview of measures being implemented to curb traffic violations in Bengaluru?

The problem of traffic violations arises when individuals misuse opportunities during peak traffic to reach their destinations quickly by breaking rules. To address this, we have decided to conduct surprise drives periodically. These drives might last for ten to fifteen days in a month and will target specific violations in various areas.

The objective is to keep violators on their toes, making them realise they can be caught at any time. This unpredictability will encourage people to follow traffic rules not only for their safety but also for the safety of others.

Are there any hotspots in the city where violations are more prevalent?

If we look at the city as a whole or specifically my east division, violations are more prevalent on major roads with continuous medians. These medians prevent people from crisscrossing easily for their safety, and we allow U-turns or right-turns only at specific points.

On roads where you have to travel straight for a kilometre without making a turn, the chances of violations increase. People often try to save time by driving against the traffic, jumping medians, or committing other violations.

We have received feedback that although 90% of people follow traffic rules, a small percentage still violate them, thinking the police are inactive. Therefore, we aim to book violators to maintain balance and reduce the percentage of violations.

Can you share any statistics about offenders caught and penalised?

Since the launch of our drive, we have been booking an average of 1,200 spot fine cases per day in the east division, which spans ten police stations. In the last ten days, we have booked around 10,000 cases under 13 different categories.

The most common violations include not wearing helmets, riding against one-way traffic, triple riding, using mobile phones while driving, and not wearing seatbelts. The highest number of violations is for not wearing helmets.

How effective has been the special drive so far in reducing traffic violations?

We started this special drive a week ago and have received very encouraging results. People have appreciated the initiative and have asked us to continue it. The impactof the drive will be more visible over time.

For the past six months, we have not conducted specific drives, except for footpath clearance or riding on footpaths. Now, we are targeting visible violations on the road, aiming to curtail and stop them to ensure everyone’s safety.

Why are these measures necessary for city’s traffic management?

These measures are crucial because traffic violations not only jeopardise the safety of the violators but also pose a threat to other road users. By conducting surprise drives and booking violators, we aim to instil a sense of discipline among the public.

People need to realize that following traffic rules is essential for their safety and for maintaining order on the roads. 

How strong is public cooperation in reporting traffic violations?

We have multiple forums through which the public can report traffic violations. The most important and widely known is the Public Eye App. Users can register on the app, take photographs of violators with details like timestamp and location, and upload them.

These reports reach us 100%, and we evaluate them at our backend before raising a violation. Additionally, we have a WhatsApp number (948-080-1800) where people can post photos and details of violations.

We also respond to tags on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Public participation is crucial, and we appreciate all the efforts made by citizens to help us maintain traffic order.

By implementing these measures and encouraging public participation, we aim to create a safer and more disciplined traffic environment in Bengaluru.