Patna: Patna traffic police are stepping up enforcement against violations, with the number of challans issued in September already nearing the total recorded in August, traffic superintendent of police Sagar Kumar Jha said on Saturday.Jha said altogether 57,518 challans were issued in August, involving fines of around Rs 8.72 crore. In the first 25 days of September, the traffic police nearly crossed the August figure, he said. A special enforcement drive will also be conducted over the next five days, during which violators will be required to pay the prescribed fines for traffic offences.“Not wearing helmets is the biggest contributor to the fines imposed by the traffic police,” Jha said, adding that failure to wear seat belts and using mobile phones while driving were other major violations.He said the traffic police were also monitoring the functioning of traffic posts and taking action against personnel found negligent. Senior officers regularly visit traffic posts to inspect their functioning, and departmental action is taken against personnel found absent or negligent, Jha said.Meanwhile, as part of road-safety awareness initiatives, Patna traffic police will organise a skating marathon on Sunday from 5 am. The event, themed around road safety, will be held on the stretch from Digha Golambar to LCT Ghat.The event will feature three skating categories — 3 km, 5 km and 10 km. Participants across age groups, from children to adults, can take part. Additional director general of traffic Sudhanshu Kumar will inaugurate the event.Jha appealed to young skaters and residents to participate in large numbers and carry necessary safety equipment, including knee guards and other protective gear. Registration for the event is free and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.The initiative is aimed at spreading awareness about road safety and encouraging safer behaviour among road users. “Road accidents remain a major cause of deaths and such awareness programmes were being organised as part of efforts to reduce fatalities,” he said.
