Pune: Over 700 vehicles were impounded from Wednesday to Thursday evening as part of an ongoing drive by the city police against wrong-side movement of four and two-wheelers and triple-seat riding . Over the last 45 days, the city traffic police had caught 16,000 triple-seat riders and 14,000 wrong-side riders/drivers, but only fined them. The vehicles were not impounded.
On Thursday evening, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, "Now, we have started to impound vehicles caught going down the wrong side of the road. The vehicles will not be released for the next six months. Such motorists not only put their lives in danger, but are a threat to other road users.
Also, our action will continue." Vehicles are being impounded under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and being parked at different traffic divisions. Earlier, the police would impose fines and let such vehicles go.
"Wrong-side driving/riding and triple-seat riding are a nuisance, and lead to accidents. We do not want road fatalities," he said. "Despite repeated actions, people flout the rules.
Thus, we have decided to impound the vehicles after imposing a fine," Kumar added. Each traffic police division executes the action in the morning and evening. Police said motorists involved in wrong-side driving/riding generally block movement of other vehicles during peak hours, resulting in traffic jams.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Amol Zende said, "The action includes highways and all important city roa.