PUNE: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has launched a fresh drive with hiked fines for traffic violations. These include having fancy number plates, riding triple seat on a two-wheeler, riding without a helmet, talking on the phone while driving and driving without fastening the seatbelt. Pune RTO has set up six squads for the success of the drive, in different places in the city.

Checks will be carried out in the city till Sunday evening, sources said. The increased fines could go up to Rs 1,000 per offender. 

Vinod Sagare, Deputy RTO of Pune, said, “Our squads are monitoring adherence to traffic rules and violation of the Motor Vehicle Act. Three flying squads are looking out for overloading of goods carriers and illegal travel. One squad works with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation to ensure action against illegal passenger transport, while another checks pollution levels of vehicles. All these squads will check the use of helmets, along with their preliminary assignments.”

RTO sources said there are more motorcycle riders on the highways now, since many people from areas around the city travel daily to Pune on their motorcycles, but very few wear helmets.

“The highways are mostly used by four-wheelers. These vehicles travel faster than vehicles on the city roads. The speed factor pushes up chances of fatal accidents,” Sagare said.

The highways around the city that have significant two-wheeler riders include Pune-Solapur, Pune-Satara, Pune-Mumbai and Hadapsar-Saswad roads. Besides, thousands of riders travel on Katraj-Dehu Road bypass to reach IT companies in Hinjawadi and residential areas nearby.

TO CHECK TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
- RTO has launched a fresh drive with hiked fines for various violations
- Six special squads have been set up for the drive
- Highways to be monitored: Satara, Solapur, Saswad, Mumbai and Nashik highways
- RTO to seek regular updates on monitoring
- Plan to initiate measures at toll plazas to bring awareness to follow rules