The other day I had a very nasty experience on the road. While on my way to office thought of getting the air pressure checked at the BPCL petrol pump off EM Bypass near Patuli Dhalai Bridge. When I reached there for refill there were 2 more cars already in queue and 1 was getting its air filled. I joined the queue. Suddenly an Ola cab came from the opposite direction driving against the direction of traffic on EM Bypass and since it was coming from the opposite direction its entry to the petrol pump was blocked by the queue in front air refilling pump. The driver then started to honk vigorously and then started hurling abuses. Now that is an incident which anyone would face on a daily basis but then I didn’t had the mood of getting down from car and get engaged with such crass person. Reacting to such unruly behavior result in unfortunate incidents of road rage frequently reported.
But then I thought whether is there no way you can lodge a complaint against such a behavior! I had earlier noticed an online form on Kolkata Traffic Police website to lodge such complaints but when I tried that I found it not to be working. So while returning home from office I decided to visit a Traffic Police booth and talk to the officer and understand the process in detail. I spoke to the Traffic guard at length and understood some basic processes related to traffic complaints. I am listing those out here for everyone's benefit. Please note that this is all applicable for Kolkata Traffic Police; rules may change for other states.
1) When another vehicle has hit you and you or the other passengers in your vehicle are injured but you are still not grievously injured or you have seen a vehicle hit another person on the road.
In these events you need to note down the number of the vehicle which has hit and convey that to the nearest traffic guard. Traffic guard would try to intercept the vehicle wherever it is found within the city limits.
2) When your vehicle is involved in a collision with another vehicle on the road. In this event neither of the parties are not expected to pay any money on road. If your car is hit by another vehicle then you cannot demand the other vehicle owner to pay any damages nor can anyone demand damages from you if you have hit another vehicle. If the vehicle which has hit you is registered in the state then you can visit the nearest police station to lodge a Motor Collision Report. If the registration is outside state then you need to take the driver of the vehicle along with you to police station and lodge the MCR. The MCR is only helpful for insurance related claims.
3) When you are faced with minor issues on road like taxi refusal, rude behaviour etc. In that event you may visit the nearest Traffic Kiosk or Booth and ask for the Traffic Complaint Card from the traffic guard. Fill up the card and post it by affixing a postage stamp. The Kolkata Traffic Police is expected to take necessary action once the card reaches them.
Hope you find this information to be helpful.
But then I thought whether is there no way you can lodge a complaint against such a behavior! I had earlier noticed an online form on Kolkata Traffic Police website to lodge such complaints but when I tried that I found it not to be working. So while returning home from office I decided to visit a Traffic Police booth and talk to the officer and understand the process in detail. I spoke to the Traffic guard at length and understood some basic processes related to traffic complaints. I am listing those out here for everyone's benefit. Please note that this is all applicable for Kolkata Traffic Police; rules may change for other states.
1) When another vehicle has hit you and you or the other passengers in your vehicle are injured but you are still not grievously injured or you have seen a vehicle hit another person on the road.
In these events you need to note down the number of the vehicle which has hit and convey that to the nearest traffic guard. Traffic guard would try to intercept the vehicle wherever it is found within the city limits.
2) When your vehicle is involved in a collision with another vehicle on the road. In this event neither of the parties are not expected to pay any money on road. If your car is hit by another vehicle then you cannot demand the other vehicle owner to pay any damages nor can anyone demand damages from you if you have hit another vehicle. If the vehicle which has hit you is registered in the state then you can visit the nearest police station to lodge a Motor Collision Report. If the registration is outside state then you need to take the driver of the vehicle along with you to police station and lodge the MCR. The MCR is only helpful for insurance related claims.
3) When you are faced with minor issues on road like taxi refusal, rude behaviour etc. In that event you may visit the nearest Traffic Kiosk or Booth and ask for the Traffic Complaint Card from the traffic guard. Fill up the card and post it by affixing a postage stamp. The Kolkata Traffic Police is expected to take necessary action once the card reaches them.
Hope you find this information to be helpful.
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