The Chennai city traffic police are attempting to keep pace with the 'Digital India' movement, as they will now allow violators to pay fines through debit or credit cards. One hundred Point of Sale (PoS) machines were distributed to the police on Wednesday to be put to immediate use.
According to reports, motorists caught violating the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act (1988) are stopped by the police who use hand-held machines for spot fining. There are about reportedly 40 types of violation for which a minimum amount of Rs.100 is levied. Only personnel holding the rank of sub inspectors(Traffic) or above have reportedly been authorised to use the machines, for which training has been given to them.
"Three receipts will be generated for the rider, the officer and headquarters. The fine amount will be directly deposited in the road safety fund of the Transport department," a police officer told TNIE.
Senior police officials reportedly believe that this move will help to change the public impression of the traffic police. Most citizens can narrate a tale of how they were stopped and asked to pay cash without a receipt, lending to a negative perception of the traffic team.
Last year alone, police claim to have collected Rs.25 crore as fine amount from violators. This year, Rs.12 crore has been collected until July.