TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Pune: People from various walks of life are all set to make their contribution to solving traffic problems now. The Pune traffic police have formally launched its initiative whereby a select group of citizens – called the friends of traffic police (FOTP) – will provide all possible help regarding traffic problems.
The 156 citizens, who have been selected for the initiative in the first phase, will be working in coordination with traffic police and helping them manage traffic at road junctions. These volunteers, also known as ‘vahatuk police mitra’, would generate road safety and traffic discipline awareness on the city’s roads.
The traffic police have also promised immediate action on all complaints that the FOTP provide about traffic problems and violations, for instance, drivers indulging in dangerous or rash driving will face action on any written complaints given by the FOTP.
Girish Deshpande, member of the FOTP, says, “The initiative would definitely make a positive impact. We would be making our contributions in various ways such as identifying traffic problems, suggesting possible solutions and so on. Although, the members received their identity cards only recently, it has been nearly two months now that many of us have been working in coordination with the traffic police. If there is a traffic violation by an individual, the presence of the FOTP helps in diffusing the tension.”
Another member of the FOTP, graphic designer Aarti Deo, said she has already been working with the Save Pune Traffic Movement and had participated in a study on pedestrian signals. “When there is a traffic problem at a junction or a road, everybody tries to race ahead without stopping and providing any solution. As FOTP, we will speak to people as well as work in coordination with the traffic police and the wardens,” she said.
Dhananjay Rau, who is a chemical engineer, said he joined the initiative by seeing the traffic police’s announcement on its Facebook page. “There would be immediate action by the traffic police on the complaints made by the FOTP. We will be giving our suggestions as well,” he said. The members said that the issuing of identity cards has given them an added confidence.
The idea of the friends of traffic police was first mooted by the traffic branch during the road safety fortnight in January during the tenure of former deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Manoj Patil. The scheme was formally launched recently by distribution of identify cards at the hands of police commissioner Merra Chadha Borwankar.
The selection of the volunteers has been done through proper screening, say traffic officials. Only those who met certain eligibility criteria like physical fitness have been chosen. The person’s knowledge about traffic problems and his or her contribution to solve the traffic problems was also taken into consideration.
The members, who would be working on a voluntary basis, stand to lose their identity cards if they misuse it in any manner. DCP (traffic) Vishwas Pandhre said that the traffic branch will be selecting more citizens as friends of traffic police.
The FOTP are expected to interact with drivers, pedestrians and other road users about how to observe traffic rules and on important aspects of road safety. They are also expected to communicate with drivers about rash driving and inform the traffic officials of the area of the traffic control room about traffic jams or accidents. 
One of the roles of the FOTP is to act as coordinators between the citizens and the traffic police for the implementation of traffic changes on an experimental basis.

Manish Umbrajkar