TROUBLE ON TWO-WHEELERS
In Two Years, Traffic Cops Were Target In 1 In 3 Assault Cases
Mateen Hafeez TNN
One out of three cases of assault on traffic police personnel in the city in the last two years have been reported at or around J J flyover between CST and Byculla. It is a clear indication that keeping twowheelers off proscribed elevated roads is proving to be a nightmare, said sources.
It is particularly intriguing when one considers
that two-wheelers have been banned from J J flyover by the HC to protect
bikers after a series of fatal accidents on one of the flyover’s sharp
curves.
Data given by the city traffic police show that in 108
cases, 40 police personnel suffered injuries that needed treatment at
hospital. Over 30% or 32 of these cases took place at or around J J
flyover.
It’s not difficult to estimate the problems cops must
be facing keeping two-wheelers off the Eastern Freeway, not far from J J
flyover. On Sunday, a bike with three on the Freeway met with an
accident, leading to two deaths, including one from falling off the
elevated road. The third rider is still critical.
After the accident, the traffic police have asked Trombay police to increase nakabandis at
the Panjarpole junction of the Freeway to stop twowheelers. “We will
increase the number of constables on both ends of the Freeway," said a
senior traffic official. Handling
bikers at prohibited flyovers is proving tough because they either try
to flee recklessly or speed up to dodge the police — any which may end
up in an accident.
“It’s for people to understand that if we prohibit a flyover, it’s for the bikers’ safety. We have asked our men not to be aggressive on flyovers as it could be counterproductive in some cases,” said Brijesh Singh, additional commissioner of police (traffic). Police are deployed at both ends of J J flyover to avoid accidents. “There have been cases of bike racing at night. We have fined several youngsters. In most cases, their parents are unaware of the racing,” said an officer.
Sources said there are 3,133 traffic police personnel, including 330 women, for the city with a population of 15 million. “Traffic police do not have manpower to deploy personnel at all flyovers,” said a senior officer. Police personnel said they face taunts, abuse, threat of being run over, and ogling by bikers. Concerned, the department has distributed guns to women cops, besides training them in karate.
108 traffic police personnel assaulted in the last two years
40 personnel needed treatment in hospital
During 2011-12, 30% assault took place between Kalbadevi & Pydhonie
So, over 32 cases likely to be of bikers facing off against cops stopping them from getting on J J flyover
More than 110 offenders arrested
The Menace of Underage Bikers
Oct 2 | A 17-year-old biker performing stunts crashes into a senior citizen and four others near Park Udyaan bridge in Matunga. The senior citizen is killed. He is arrested, charged for causing death due to negligence and released on bail. His friend, the bike owner, is fined
March 17 | Rohit Gupta, 14, dies and his 16-year-old friend suffers serious injuries at Bandra Reclamation while speeding on a bike. The friend is arrested in a negligence case after he leaves hospital and released on bail. Gupta’s family warned for allowing him to ride a bike.
April 9 | Three
friends, all minors, on a bike collide with a speeding Swift Dzire in
Juhu. One pillion rider dies, other two sustain serious injuries. They
are warned for riding without a licence. Police file a case of causing
death due to negligence against Dzire driver, but he is untraced
The Times of India, October 22, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment