News

May 25, 2023

Police on drive to clamp down on parking violators

Obstructive parking and leaving four wheelers at no-parking zones will now land

Obstructive parking and leaving four wheelers at no-parking zones will now land motorists in trouble as the city traffic police wing is set to use the newly procured wheel clamps, which would lock the vehicles.

Wheel clamps save the police the headache of towing the illegally parked vehicle. Though different types of devices are available in the market, the city police will be using those with a clamp that locks a vehicle's wheel.

A police officer having the jurisdiction can lock the wheel. Owners will be forced to dial the traffic police in the number printed on the stickers attached to the clamps. Earlier the city traffic police have been sticking parking tickets on vehicles.

"The vehicle will be unlocked after getting calls from vehicle owners. The vehicle owner will be fined," said a police official.

The city police have decided to use wheel clamps as towing of four wheelers would cause damage to the engine of the vehicle. Use of stickers is not very effective as the police will have to send notices and move the court if the owner fails to pay the fine.

The city police have so far received nine wheel clamps for the purpose. We will be using these clamps from next week, the officer said.

Other modes used for preventing illegal parking are sticking parking tickets, locking two wheelers using chains and towing away vehicles. The police have the authority to lock or tow away any motor vehicle abandoned or left unattended in a public place or parked at a no-parking zone.

Many motor vehicle owners leave their vehicles on the roadside for long hours, obstructing the traffic. Pedestrians also find it hard to get a clear view of the road owing to the presence of these vehicles, said a traffic police officer.

While those parking vehicles in a no-parking zone will be fined Rs 600, those engaging in obstructive parking will be fined depending on the gravity of the obstruction created.

Concerned over the rising cases of road mishaps in the city and to ensure free flow of traffic on roads in the city, East Singhbhum district traffic police have decided to act tough on vehicle owners parking in unauthorised areas. The idea is to keep a check on mishap points to reduce traffic congestion and accidents in the city. The move comes after people complained of snail pace of movement of vehicles on roads as vehicles are parked on both sides of the roads making them narrower.

The officer said that all the five traffic police stations in the city at Bistupur, Sakchi, Mango, Golmuri and Jugsalai have been instructed to tow away the vehicles who park their vehicles regularly on roads.

"People park their vehicles haphazardly on roads due to the presence of commercial establishments, eateries and other shops. This hampers the flow of traffic at any point of time. Directive has been issued if vehicle owners continue to park their vehicles regularly on roads especially near joints which have witnessed mishaps on several occasions the traffic inspectors have been authorised to carry away the vehicles using the crane," said the officer.