Traffic police will fine with a smile

For most motorists, running into a traffic policeman is often unpleasant. Apart from being pulled up and fined, they also have to deal with rude behaviour of policemen. But then, things are set to change. 

In an attempt to shed the image of being “rude”, the Mumbai traffic police, for the first time ever, have begun an initiative where the traffic personnel will be trained in interpersonal skills.

This includes learning etiquette as well as speaking fluent English. So, the next time you are reprimanded by a traffic policeman, don’t be surprised if he flashes a smile and with a firm handshake gives you a stern warning about not repeating the offence. 

“Our aim is not to punish the motorists. Instead, we want to tell them to adhere to road discipline, in a civilised way,” said Vivek Phansalkar, joint commissioner of police, Mumbai traffic police. “We also want to educate the motorists about the hazards of road indiscipline.”  

As a part of this initiative, the senior inspectors of every division have been asked to hold regular meetings with their constables, explaining to them to be civil but stern at the same time. 

The traffic police have, to ease motorists’ woes and pedestrians’ inconvenience, decided to launch sustained campaigns against jumping signals and stopping at zebra crossings.

All traffic divisions have been instructed to crack the whip on erring motorists. “We understand that everybody is in a hurry and hence may flout these rules,” said Phansalkar. “Since these are not serious offences, all our personnel have been trained to tweak their behaviour. However, this does not mean offenders will be spared.” 

The traffic policemen have to put up with long physically exhaustive hours, high pollution levels and the ever-swelling traffic.

“To facilitate better co-ordination with their colleagues and seniors, we have fortnightly meetings where their problems are addressed,” said Nandkumar Chougule, deputy commissioner of police, traffic.

“Greater transparency yields better results. We also have the welfare of our staff in mind.”

Traffic officials said this move will help the department in creating a better image of itself and good rapport with motorists. In the past couple of years, after the department launched sustained drives against drunken driving, riding without helmets and no parking, motorists have had several nasty experiences.  

“Our job remains the same; we still pull up erring motorists. Since we politely tell them to behave themselves, it is likely that they will not repeat their offence,” a constable on duty said.