Mysore/Mysuru: If you travel through Mysuru’s Central Business District and in other relatively busy areas, there are many roads, intersections and traffic marked with yellow and white lines. These are for motorists to follow traffic rules.

But as motorists continue to care two hoots for the traffic rules and regulations, the city Traffic Police have come up with the idea of enforcing Zero Tolerance Traffic to bring in a sense of discipline. Ignorance and violation of this rule could burn deep holes in your pockets through heavy traffic fines.

The Zero Tolerance Traffic rule has already begun on prominent roads and Circles in Narasimharaja (NR) Traffic Subdivision limits. Speaking to Star of Mysore, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) – Traffic S.N. Sandesh Kumar said that since three days the Policemen have been enforcing the rule prominent roads and Circles.

“To begin with, we have started enforcement in Narasimharaja Sub-division and the same will be expanded to all other Traffic Stations,” he said.

“The aim is to ensure pedestrian and motorist safety and decongest the city’s junctions. Motorists have this habit of parking or stopping their vehicles near junctions, thus blocking the vision of pedestrians crossing the road. If we are able to clear the areas near pedestrian crossings, accidents can be brought down,” said M.S. Geetha Prasanna, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic).

The main aim of Zero Tolerance Traffic is to make the public know about various traffic rules and regulations and also make them understand the importance of wearing face masks as COVID-19 pandemic is spreading fast. The campaign to enforce rules in Narasimharaja was conducted by N.R. Traffic Assistant Sub-Inspector and staff at Bamboo Bazaar Circle by creating awareness.

What are Zero Tolerance Traffic Junctions?

The Zero Tolerance Junctions are designated places where traffic violation is dealt with strictly.  At these junctions, Police stop violators and issue on-the-spot challans. Under the system, Circles and roads with heavy traffic would be identified and no vehicle would be allowed to stop or park in these Circles and roads. Motorists, who fail to follow the rules, will be penalised.

For example, while riding or driving a vehicle, the driver/rider will stop immediately on seeing red signal light. When the light turns orange and then green, the motorist is supposed to move the vehicle further. But in case there is traffic jam on the road, the motorist is not supposed to move the vehicle but should remain at the spot even if the signal light turns green.

In case the motorist moves the vehicle and stops on the yellow line, he is liable for penal action. To catch violators Police personnel will be deployed at all Zero Tolerance Junctions, who would impose fines and the footage would be captured on CCTV cameras installed at that particular junction.