Road accidents have increased dramatically in India. For this reason, the central, state, and local governments are taking appropriate steps to reduce mishaps and make roads in India safer. One of the main reasons for the high number of traffic accidents is non-compliance with traffic rules. To ensure everyone follows the laid rules and regulations along with road traffic rules even when no one is looking, the traffic police have used the electronic traffic alert system. Thanks to new technological advancements, the traditional regulation of the transport system has been transformed into a digital system called e-challan in India. The manual system had many drawbacks. Violators were able to avoid punishment through bribery. In addition, the increase in traffic made it difficult to regulate traffic manually. However, with the implementation of the E-Challan system, effective detection of offences and better compliance with traffic rules by the population will be ensured. Discipline on the road, according to the E-Challan system, has never existed before.
What is an E-Challan?
An e-challan is an automated warning issued to a specific person for traffic rules and regulations violations in India. If you violate any traffic rules, the traffic police officer will issue you an e-challan as outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. You will have to bear the consequences of getting the e-challan and pay the necessary fine or penalty, whatever has been prescribed.
It is generated electronically using the electronic challan system. In an e-challan system, the traffic law enforcement authorities give official notice to anyone who violates the traffic rules. Every step of vehicles on the road is monitored using CCTV cameras, and issuing an e-challan requires a certain series of steps to be followed. Everything is digitized. The e-challan serves as a notice to the person to pay a fine for failing to comply with the highway code. Under the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1988, the traffic police can rightfully give challans to anyone who violates traffic rules.
With the growth of digitization, challan is now digitally published using the Challan electronic system. The government piloted the system in 2012. The traffic police e-challan is a specialized software that comprises a web interface and an android application. It works in collaboration with Vahan and sarathi apps and is well-integrated into them, which are all about several traffic monitoring system functions.
The Functionality of the E-Challan In India
Here is a step-by-step procedure for using the e-challan system in India:
- Step 1 - The traffic police use the e-challan system, which is CCTV-enabled, to curb the growing number of mishaps. A CCTV camera records images of the current traffic. If a driver breaks a traffic rule, the action is recorded. The police extract the number from the vehicle screenshot captured in the surveillance camera footage, after which the offence will be recorded in the logs.
- Step 2 - The traffic police will collaborate with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to find out about the vehicle owner. Once the details like address and phone number are received, a message will be sent to the offender's registered phone number, which will have relevant information about the violation, like the date, day, time, and place.
- Step 3 – On receiving the e-challan, the violator must immediately pay the fine to avoid a further penalty, which can lead to the revocation of the licence.
How Can You Pay for an E-Challan?
You can pay the penalty for your e-challan in 2 ways:
- Online Mode: It is more convenient to pay online. According to states, the authorities have set up a website dedicated to the direct payment of e-challan. The e-challan contains a unique challan number you can use to proceed to payment.
- Offline Mode: You must go to the nearest police station and pay the penalty using your e-challan number.
Obey These Rules to Avoid the E-Challan
The rule is simple - you must obey traffic laws without exception.
- Obey the rules of the road, and traffic signs, be careful - wear a helmet if you are on e a bike or a seat belt if you are in a car, and do not exceed the speed limit.
- Keep physical security by following the rules and financial security with the help of auto insurance.
- Always choose comprehensive or extended car insurance online coverage and change/renew your policy with add-ons.
- Don't let anyone else decide which car insurance online policy to buy.
- Do your homework and choose the most appropriate car insurance plan.
- Drive safely and avoid Challans.
Advantages of the E-Challan System
The e-challan system has many advantages, which are listed below:
- The e-challan system is a convenient, user-friendly, and effective traffic management system that leads to better traffic behavior and more road safety.
- The integrated e-challan system guarantees transparency and trust. Digitization at each stage helps analyze various violations, timely payments of challans, etc.
- Traffic violations help in curbing corruption.
- Citizens benefit from paying the challan online, thus saving time and effort.
- Environmental-friendly as it eliminates the use of paper.
Conclusion
Compliance with traffic rules is substantial to avoid the e-challan under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. You can avoid getting an e-challan issued in several ways by following the traffic rules. One of the primary requirements for avoiding the e-challan is to get a valid car insurance online policy. Make sure you have a car insurance online policy while on the road. While traffic rules provide physical security, car insurance offers financial security. Consider purchasing separate comprehensive car insurance that protects you against vehicle damage and third-party claims.
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