KOLKATA: Over 800 prosecutions were reported on Sunday, the first day that Kolkata traffic police reintroduced spot fines. Out of a total of 1,046 prosecutions reported, over 80% were spot fines, stated police sources. The rest were citation cases. Though the numbers were half of the average prosecutions witnessed on city roads in the months of November and December, the top brass stated that the numbers were proof of the need for spot fines.
It was evident that there is still some dilemma in the mind of sergeants as far as prosecuting motorists and forwarding them to local police stations was concerned. Significantly, not a single vehicle was seized. “Most of the prosecutions dealt with traditional offences committed by two-wheeler riders like not wearing a helmet, triple-riding and speeding,” pointed out a police source.