Police personnel offering rose to traffic abiders at Tangla town in Udalguri on Thursday. Image: Northeast Now
Police personnel offering rose to traffic abiders at Tangla town in Udalguri on Thursday. Image: Northeast Now

On Thursday morning the commuters of Tangla town were pleasantly surprised when police personnel stopped motorists following traffic rules and appreciated them with a red rose.

This unique step was taken by the Bhergaon sub-divisional police for creating awareness on the Motor Vehicles (Amended) Act, 2019, apart from promoting safe driving.

“There has been resentment over the imposition of heavy fines on traffic rule violators after the new Act came into force on September 1,” said Nirmal Ghosh, sub-divisional police officer.

“The Motor Vehicles (Amended) Act is not a revenue-generating exercise, rather a safety measure for the people to follow. To educate them about the Act is our prime concern,” Ghosh added.

Even traffic violators were also in for a surprise as no hefty fines were imposed on them as well.

“We did not impose any penalty on the traffic violators. We requested them to follow the traffic rules and regulations,” Ghosh further said.

The cops urged the people to wear helmets while riding a two-wheeler, put on the seat belts while driving four-wheelers and follow the basic traffic rules.

They also asked the people to not drink and drive, especially during the Durga Puja festival.

“We also asked them to not use mobile phones while driving apart from urging them to avoid going through wrong sides and triple riding,” said Pallabi Barman, a lady police officer.

The cops further informed that during Durga Puja they would be focussing on individuals indulged in drunken driving, use of mobile phone while on the go and non-wearing of helmets or seat belts.

Shajid Khan is Northeast Now Correspondent in Udalguri. He can be reached at: [email protected]