Know Your Rights and Rules While Dealing With Traffic Police

By Ruchika Verma

• While dealing with traffic police, there are few rules and rights you must keep in mind
• Dealing with traffic police politely and tactfully can help you greatly
• Traffic police now has e-challan facilities to make payments of fine convenient

If you are a driver, no matter a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, chances are you must have at least once bumped into traffic police while on the road.

People often complain about traffic police because of the corruption and problems they face. Despite several efforts from both the sides, the situation on the roads is far from improving.

While dealing with traffic police though, there are few traffic challan rules and laws you should know along with your own rights. Here is the list of rights you should know while dealing with the traffic police:

1. If traffic police try to penalise you, make sure that they are carrying a challan book or an e-challan machine with them. Without any of these with them, they cannot fine or penalise you.

2. If you are stopped by traffic police and they ask for your documents. Section 130 of the Motor Vehicle Act, says, that you only have to produce your driving license in front of the traffic police. You don't need to hand it over to them. It is entirely your choice to hand it over to them, but they, in any case, cannot force you to do so.

3.A traffic fine can be imposed on you for jumping a red light, driving a two-wheeler without a helmet, overspeeding, improper or obstructive parking, smoking and drinking in the or while driving the vehicle, not displaying number plate, driving without a license, driving a vehicle without registration. All these offences can get you penalised under the Motor Vehicles Act.

4.Never, ever succumb to illegal demands of the traffic police. Do not try to bribe the traffic police. If the officer asks for a bribe, note down his buckle number. If he is not wearing his buckle, you can always ask for the identity card. In case of refusal, you have the fundamental right to refuse to give him your documents.

5. If the police officer is an officer of rank sub-inspector or above then you can settle the offence by paying the fine. You can now pay your challan online via the facility of e-challan.

Also Read: Despotic behaviour of Delhi Police is due to lack of accountability

6. If you are driving without license or permit, or you are driving an unregistered vehicle, police have the right to detain your vehicle. Delhi traffic police app has been introduced to keep a track of all the e-challans and seizes in the region of Delhi.

7. Traffic police cannot seize your driving license, without a valid receipt. Jumping the red light, overloading, drunken driving and using the mobile phone while driving, are some cases in which your driving license can be seized.

Also Read: Delhi Traffic Police launch SMS alerts service

8. Traffic police cannot tow your car if are sitting in it. You have to vacate your vehicle before they can tow your car away.

9. If you are detained by traffic police for any offence then you must be produced before the magistrate within 24 hours of the offence, for the trial.

10. If traffic police harass you then you have the fundamental right to file a complaint with the police against the harassing traffic police officer, stating the particulars of the entire incident.

11. And this is the most obvious one, you should not argue with the police, you must avoid any arguments with the police and cooperate. If you have made any mistake, just explain it to them nicely, they might even let you go or tone down your punishment.