Patna: More than 16,000 e-challans were issued across Bihar in the past 10 days for traffic violations, with fines totalling around Rs 15.5 crore, as the transport department stepped up enforcement to curb road accidents and take action against the violators. The special drive will continue across the state till Oct 20, officials said on Tuesday.The campaign targets violations such as riding two-wheelers without helmets, not wearing seatbelts in four-wheelers, underage driving and other breaches of traffic rules. Transport secretary Raj Kumar has directed officials to intensify enforcement in all districts.State transport commissioner Arif Ahsan reviewed the campaign’s progress through a video conference with district transport officers, additional district transport officers, motor vehicle inspectors and enforcement sub-inspectors on Tuesday. He instructed officials to increase checking at major intersections and check-posts and ensure e-challans are issued against violators in line with prescribed targets.Ahsan also directed district transport officers to review enforcement activities daily and monitor the progress of action taken. He warned that officials who fail to meet the targets or deliver poor performance during the drive would be held accountable.Emphasising the need for stricter compliance with road safety rules, Ahsan said wearing helmets and seatbelts and preventing minors from driving were essential to reducing road fatalities and serious injuries.The transport department has appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules, ensure that both riders and pillion passengers wear helmets, use seatbelts in cars and refrain from allowing minors to drive.
