Psychiatrists feel that motorists refusing to obey traffic rules is a behavioural issue. Despite strong camera surveillance and awareness, many motorists in the city seem unwilling to obey traffic rules.
As per motor vehicles department (MVD) data, 9,779 traffic rule violations were reported in 2024 under Ernakulam RTO limits, as against 9,052 in 2023. This includes offences booked by police.
Violators had to shell out INR 1.90 crore in 2023 as fines. However, the imposed fine amount dipped in 2024 to INR 1.81 crore, even though the number of violations increased. The data also shows that less than half the number of violators remitted the fines.
The number of violations initially came down when AI cameras were installed, said MVD officials. But later, the violations increased as motorists became apathetic to the imposition of fines. "People are ready to pay fines. Many neglect paying fines on receiving messages. But when the number of offences by a person pile up to 20, we send them notices. Most violations are driving two-wheelers without a helmet or a pillion rider not wearing a helmet, and four-wheeler drivers not wearing seatbelts. Also, a large number of violations involve motorists speaking on the phone while driving," said the MVD official.
MVD and police regularly conduct awareness programmes, urging people to be responsible drivers. "It is not a lack of awareness that drives people to commit traffic violations. Everybody is aware of the rules. But there is a feeling among drivers that only a few of them are booked everyday, even though hundreds of violations are committed on the roads. When we conduct awareness classes for drivers who violated rules, around 40% of them are willing to improve their driving techniques. The remaining 60% still disregard rules," said Vinod Kumar N, MV inspector of enforcement wing in Ernakulam.
Psychiatrists feel that motorists refusing to obey traffic rules is a behavioural issue. "The rising traffic violations show that the humane side of society is slowly coming down as they disregard the safety of other road users. Use of intoxicants, though occasionally, and its hangover is another reason for rising violations as it affects their ability to make quick decisions. When a driving licence is issued, it is also necessary to analyze the person's mental health. But that is not happening in our country where only the person's physical fitness is considered.
In Singapore, securing a driving licence is a precious thing. If the driver violates 10 traffic rules, even petty ones, the licence will be cancelled forever and won't be eligible to apply for a new one. But in India, the authorities can at least monitor the behaviour, attitude, mental health, use of intoxicants and re-educate the drivers," said psychiatrist SD Singh.
