50% traffic fine rebate will make roads unsafe in Karnataka, warn experts: Report
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government's 50% rebate on traffic e-challan fines has drawn sharp criticism from road safety experts. While some welcome the financial relief, experts warn it sends the wrong message—urging violators to “wait for discounts” instead of following rules—potentially encouraging repeat offences by reducing the fear of penalties.
Traffic and transport expert Prof. M.N. Sreehari described the decision as a "wrong signal" from the government. “Instead of collecting fines, the government is giving offers to violators, which is unlawful. The law clearly states that anyone who violates the law should be penalised, not offered discounts. Such measures will only encourage more violations and reduce the fear of law and rules. Instead of offering discounts, the government should focus on educating violators about road safety,” The New Indian Express quoted him as saying.
Prof. Sreehari stressed that such blanket concessions risk eroding the deterrent value of fines, which are meant to discourage reckless driving. “Motorists may assume that penalties can always be negotiated later, encouraging repeated violations. Meanwhile, others who paid their fines promptly at full rates may feel penalised for their compliance,” he added.
A senior traffic police officer quoted by TNIE acknowledged that while the rebate offers temporary financial relief, particularly for delivery personnel, auto-rickshaw drivers, and cab operators, it also raises serious safety concerns. These groups, often in a rush due to work demands, are among the most frequent violators. The officer noted that such individuals may break rules, pay only half the fine, and continue repeating offences. These violations, including signal jumping, riding without helmets, or driving without seat belts, are not minor lapses but serious risks that can lead to injuries or fatalities.
Another officer emphasised that the government must treat this rebate as a one-time measure to recover pending dues, not a recurring policy. If repeated, such concessions could shift public perception from following traffic rules to simply waiting for the next discount.
This is not the first time the Karnataka government has introduced such a concession. In 2023, similar rebate schemes were announced on two separate occasions.
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23-year-old woman found dead at Delhi home; suicide suspected
New Delhi (PTI): A 23-year-old woman was found dead in her house in Delhi's Prem Nagar area, with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide, an official said on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as Anjali Singh, was found motionless in her room on Monday by her sister and her neighbour.
Police said her father, Vinod Kumar Singh (51), told them that he and his wife were away at work at the time of the incident, while their son and the other daughter were also not at home at the time of the incident.
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According to the family, the room in which Anjali was found was locked from the inside. The door was later forcibly opened by a neighbour and her sister with the help of a crowbar.
Her body was found lying on the bed inside the room, police said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Anjali had allegedly hanged herself using a piece of cloth tied to the ceiling fan.
It is suspected that the noose eventually might have loosened or torn off, resulting in her being found lying on the bed.
Family members informed the police that Anjali was a final-year student of a librarian science course from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). About a week ago, her final-year examination results were declared, and she had failed, following which she had been under depression, they said.
The family has not raised any allegation of foul play, police said, adding that no suicide note or external injury marks were found on the body during the initial inspection.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated in the matter as per the law. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, and further investigation is underway, police added.
