Treat traffic violations like drink driving: Bombay high court

Emphasising the need to crack the whip, the Bombay high court on Wednesday said implementation of traffic rules in Mumbai will have to be taken up just like the ‘don’t drink and drive’ campaign.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) on traffic violations. “Fine and suspension of licence is the only solution for repeated offenders,” said justice SJ Vazifdar.

Senior counsel Rafiq Dada, appearing for BBA, said that the system for free left turn should be reviewed at pedestrian crossings as motorists don’t wait for pedestrians to cross.

Intervenor advocate Armin Wandrewala said that it is “largely an attitudinal problem”. She also said while higher echelons of traffic department were cooperative, “it does not percolate to constables on the street.”

She said BEST drivers were the worst offenders. BEST advocate Girish Kulkarni replied that BEST used to take action against its drivers on complaints received from the traffic department but has stopped since two years. The matter is adjourned to April 26.