Traffic cops push for 'evidence-based' policing in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Mumbai Traffic Police is working to set up an 'evidence-based' policing system to prevent arguments between policemen and road rule offenders.

In this regard, the traffic police department has already installed CCTVs at most of the vital spots, introduced e-challan and launched a mobile application for commuters to register their grievances and seek help.

"The aim is the avoid confrontation between the traffic rule offender and the policeman. Whatever is the violation, it is presented with evidence. This lessens the chances of argument and dispute," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said Milind Bharambe.

He said after a traffic rule offender is identified, an SMS is sent on his mobile phone. The road rule violation by a person along with the date and time is also captured on the CCTV. Thus there is less chance of a dispute. Bharambe said they are also trying to have a cashless mode of payment of fine.

"Whatever is the fine, it can be paid by the offender through his debit or credit card," he said. The department had sometime back started a concept of traffic wardens, who have proved to be of great help, he said.

"Today, there are over 400 traffic wardens on the city roads. They cannot issue a challan but can definitely regulate the traffic. They are doing a wonderful job and are definitely of great assistance to us," Bharambe said.

The traffic police department has also asked its officials to check only the documents issued by the RTO and not any other papers of the offender to avoid confrontation, another senior officer said.