Violating traffic rules has been a way of life in Delhi for long. "Dekh lenge yaar!", "Kuch le deke hojayega, tension mat le" - sticking up to these verbatims, our life on the road has been so much easier. But there is something that haunts our freedom to move around nowadays, and that is a recent turn of events, with the current challan rates in the picture. With the hefty fines that come along with traffic rules violations in 2019, we're even considering selling our kidneys to move around places the way we wish to.
But there's still a way out, here's how! Here's a list of excuses Delhiites come up with during such situations. Because traffic rules, what are those for, eh? Well, only maybe!
Riding on the wind, hair blowing astray, earphones plugged in, who needs a helmet anyways! Well, it means all you need is a well-connected relative to get your way around traffic violations. Because the road's your property, meant only for you! Why should you give a damn about anyone else!
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Within our territory, we're the king of the world! All you need to tell the traffic police is that you've been living in the vicinity for long and by now you can predict the future as well. And hence, following traffic rules, like wearing seatbelts, is something against this long-held status of yours! And so why do they even need to bother you for the same?
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Sir maine light nahi kaati, when I crossed over the light, it was green, or yellow or red! Does it even matter, there's no way to prove it! No cameras or eye-witnesses are around! As when it's about our freedom on the road, we're always up for debate.
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Uncle ji Uthak Baithak karwalo, papa ko mat bulao, hum bhi aapke bacho jaise hain! When there's only such a little penalty for things like jumping lights, why bother to wait for your turn? Just skip them signals, they're for everyone but you! So let nothing stop you again, the ultimate solution to all traffic policing problems is a set of squats in the end.
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Know a policeman? You're sorted on the road. All those who have even as close to acquainted a policeman are entitled to not follow the traffic rules. So all that you need to say when you get caught the next is that you're related to a staff member. And he/she is anyhow obligated to let go of all that you've done. Maybe someday, you can run over people and get away with it as well. Isn't that adventurous now, something worth bragging about?
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Insurances are for amateurs, we don't make mistakes, so what's the need at all? Well, insurance is another pain to get done and for people like us are on the road, it's all the more irrelevant. We're careful enough, and even if someone hits us, we know how to make them pay, so why exactly do we need insurance for? To show it to the traffic police? We don't think so!
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Well, what's the best way around such things is paying a bribe. That's how we are, we pay bribes because the police take it! We aren't at fault, they are. We're just victims in the end and the authorities are responsible for such practices, solely, period. They catch us and then make us pay bribes, with a knife on our throats. Solution? Don't catch us in the first place, neither will the police do anything, nor will be the need to pay bribes, easy!
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So there are a number of ways you can get off the hook of a traffic violation, but yeah, you're also living in a fool's paradise if you really think so. And the above-mentioned things, are only good to be told to your friends and not to the traffic police. Because if you do, you're only inviting more trouble instead.
But there are things you can do, that can really make sure that you don't have to pay any challans! So here's a list of these!
Running traffic lights is not inevitable, leaving your house on time with buffer time for traffic congestions is. So, go and buy a new alarm clock today, one that rings loud & clearly disturbing in the morning, you won't ever need to jump a traffic signal.
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There's a reason that when you buy a new two-wheeler, you get a helmet for free. It's to be used every once you take your two-wheeled ride along. One for the other and together for you! A safe, affordable and worthy bike ride requires you to wear a helmet every once. Or else, it'll cost you dearly, least with your money and the worst with your life. Life's difficult, but road's unforgiving!
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Seat Belt Reminders! Well, there's nothing as such. It's your job to put the seat belt on and before you turn on the ignition. Making a habit is going to be difficult, but you can hang a sign that says "seat-belt"! If you're that juvenile to forget it every once.
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We know that drinking is something you're allowed to, but driving afterward, is still out of the picture. So, install a cab service application if you don't have one, and use it every once you head out for drinks. Especially those mad Saturday nights when you've sloshed away to glory in the vice spirits of life.
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Hey, it's the check all the certificates day! Didn't seem so exciting? well, it would the next once you're pulled over by a policeman and you have all your car health certificates in order. The happiness of riding out of a police-checkpoint, without having any fine or penalty paid is priceless.
Image Courtesy: The Economic Times
Well, we know you cannot pull your step off the accelerator once it's on. But maybe you should try something different now. Install a speed limiter in your car, maybe that's what'll make you go slow. And if you can't do that, then at least take a good look at the number of people who lose their lives to road accidents every day. What you call thrilling, is going to cost someone with life. So go steady around, it won't matter much if you reach a little later than you do.
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See, life's precious and on the road, it's vulnerable as well. So don't be the one to bet on it with the uncertainty of traffic on the roads. If you won't make a mistake, someone else may! And the only safe way across is to follow the traffic rules, they're there for a reason. And you have to be lucky always, but unlucky just once, to lose it all in a second! The Road's unforgiving, always!
Q. What happens if I don't pay the traffic challan?
A. As per the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, you are liable to pay any outstanding fines issued in your name. Any failure to do so would result in graver penalties and time served in cases as well. So, at least it's a bigger chunk of money out of your pocket or at worst it'll be a night in the jail along with buddies you would definitely mind.
Q. What are the new, revised challans in Delhi?
A. The Revised Challans (Effective, September 2019) are stated below:
Q. Can the traffic police take my RC?
A. Yes, they can, depending on the offense, they can impound your Registration Certificate, the Insurance Certificate, your Driving License, and the PUC (Pollution Certificate), however, they have to provide a receipt of the same stating that these certificates are hereby confiscated for the stated reasons and penalties.
Q. Can the traffic police take my vehicle's keys?
A. No, the traffic police cannot force you out of the vehicle and cannot confiscate the keys, even when the vehicle is impounded you have the right to keep the keys with you. Also, the traffic police would need an e-challan machine or a valid challan book to impose any fine and would provide proper receipts of the same.
Q. Is a photocopy of RC valid?
A. It's perfectly valid. Even without the signature of a gazetted authority, the photocopy is valid within the city.
Q. Can a traffic cop confiscate my license without any reason?
A. No, they can't, to make you provide the license or any other registration proof, they need to have a valid reason or a traffic offense that you may have made. However, they do have the power to check these at their discretion at any given time. The Motor Vehicles Act has vested these powers in the traffic police personnel.
Q. Can I make a traffic challan payment online?
A. Yes, you can, all you need is a proper challan number and you can use the e-portals to pay for it using your debit/credit card, net banking or even through your PayTM wallet.