Jamshedpur : East Singhbhum district administration has launched a drive to ensure that motorists strictly adhere to the guidelines given by the government and health department. During this time, punitive action is being taken by the traffic police against those violating the rules of social distancing and not applying masks.
From the past three days only traffic police have recovered around Rs 3 lakhs fine from 200 motorists who were not following the norms.
During the, fines were charged from 40 drivers for overloading of passengers. Also, in the case of traveling without masks 50 were fined and 60 riders were charged for riding a bike without a helmet, the total amount of which around Rs 3 lakhs were collected.
An official said while for the two-wheeler only the rider is allowed with helmet and face-mask, in a four-wheeler and three-wheeler three persons, including the driver are allowed to travel, with the masks.
The traffic police carried out an intense checking drive in the localities which include Jugsalai, Golmuri, Mango, Sakchi and Bistupur since 10 am today and made the pillion-riders to get down from the two wheelers. While implementing the new norms, the cops did not spare even the elderly pillion riders or females as well as children.
Moreover, persons over 65 years of age, persons with other diseases, pregnant women and children below ten years of age are advised to stay home except for essential services and health purposes.
The Chennai City Traffic Police (CCTP) have imposed fines to the tune of ?3.12 crore on motorists found driving without wearing face masks from May 22.
�We had made it compulsory for residents stepping out of their homes to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Section 179 of the Motor Vehicles Act stipulates ?500 fine for motorists violating rules and we are collecting fines from the violators,� said a traffic official. He went on to add that it is not their intention to collect more fines. They want to make people realise the necessity of wearing masks.
SSP M Tamil Vanan said that the COVID-19 infection can only be curbed when people follow social distancing norms in the true sense, and use masks as a habit. � We are carrying drive regularly to instil a sense of fear too among the motorists. We have instructed the officers-in-charge at various police stations of the district to closely monitor the situation in market places to ensure observance of social distancing norms and strictly enforce the wearing of masks� noted SSP.