In an unusual move, a Hyderabad local court sentenced three bikers to jail for over speeding and two others were sentenced to do social service.
The Hyderabad traffic police have been carrying out special drives in different parts of the city against over speeding.
On Tuesday midnight, five people all aged between 20 to 30 years, were caught for over speeding on Necklace Road.
Two of the bikers were riding at 100 kmph, while other three were riding above 100 kmph speed, said Saifabad traffic police Inspector.
“They were produced at Nampally court in Hyderabad. The judge jailed two of the bikers to one day in prison with a fine of Rs 1,000. Another biker was sentenced to be jailed for two days. The other two, who were riding at 100 kmph speed, were sentenced to do social work for two days with a fine of Rs 1,000 each,” Saifabad inspector (traffic) B Gattu Mallu told TNM.
The two offenders, who were directed to do social service will have to spend 1-2 hours holding boards with traffic awareness messages at various junctions for two days, he added.
“Previously, the court has always fined the offenders, but this is the first time that three were jailed. The move came after increasing accidents due to over-speeding in the city. This will bring awareness among the citizens to follow rules,” said the traffic Inspector.
No other city in Telangana's neighboring states is known to have imposed jail time for over speeding. The Thiruvananthapuram Police Commissioner confirmed to TNM that nobody has been jailed as far as he knows for the offence of over speeding.
The Chennai Traffic planning department said, “We don't jail, but we fine them Rs 200 for over-speeding. If they drink and drive then their vehicle is seized.”
According to the officer, nearly 10 people are caught almost every night between 12 to 2 am for over speeding in the city under the special drive.
In 2017, so far as many as 6,469 challans were issued in Hyderabad for over-speeding, while last year nearly 10,446 challans were generated.
According to Deccan Chronicle, the highest number of over-speeding cases have been registered at Tank Bund, Bowenpally Checkpost, KBR Park Road and PVNR Expressway.