Nahargarh accident highlights traffic cops' response issues

Jaipur: The tragic accident on Nahargarh Road Monday in which an inebriated driver killed three people raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the city's traffic police in detecting and stopping speeding vehicles on time.

The incident occurred as the driver, identified as Usman Khan, sped through three separate areas, covering nearly 500 metre and colliding with multiple vehicles. Despite these events, neither CCTV cameras picked up his vehicle on time, nor were there any checks to detect his intoxication. "Currently, the city police do not have any system to catch speeding vehicles from control rooms and stop them immediately; for that, we have to rely on speed interceptor vehicles," said the official.

Another glaring loophole highlighted by the incident is the lack of robust enforcement against drunk driving. While the police claim they are working to intensify operations targeting inebriated drivers, the response has come under scrutiny.

Speaking to TOI, Traffic Police Official Shaheen C said they have an adequate number of breathalyser kits. "We have been regularly cracking down on drunken driving under the Motor Vehicles Act," he said, adding that checks are being intensified across areas under the city's traffic police jurisdiction.

However, police sources admitted they are facing difficulties in conducting widespread checks across the city. "These checks are carried out strategically, and barricades are set up to stop drunken drivers from creating havoc, but a lot more needs to be done," said an official.