Armed With BlackBerrys, Ahmedabad Cops Take On Traffic Violators

The Gujarat government has launched a unique pilot project in Ahmedabad city to track habitual traffic offenders by giving policemen BlackBerry handsets, which will be connected to the server of the Regional Transport Office (RTO), an official said.

“The handsets have been given to traffic constables of Mithakali, C G Road and Navrangpura localities of Ahmedabad city to experiment with the idea of helping them call for data of vehicles and drivers from the servers of the RTO with the information printed on the driving licences of the offenders,” a senior home department official told IANS.

He said that the BlackBerry mobile phones will enable police to get complete background of drivers, the status of their licences (valid or expired) and also the number of traffic offences so far committed by them.

The licences of habitual offenders will be cancelled, he added.

The handsets will be able to print receipts so that the constables will be able to hand over tickets on the spot. The traffic cops will also be able to know whether the vehicle is being driven by its owner or if it is stolen, he added.

“In the months to come all the traffic constables in Ahmedabad will be given such handsets. The government would include other cities for the project if the experiment proves successful,” the official said. (IANS)