Despite a strict directive from the Director General of Police (DGP) mandating officers to pay traffic fines, Kerala police personnel continue to flout traffic rules. Even after a final warning from the state police chief, violations by police vehicles remain unchecked. Since the installation of AI cameras, nearly 4,000 violation notices have been sent to police headquarters. Officers caught riding without helmets or driving without seat belts have been issued fines, but many have yet to pay. This ongoing disregard for the DGP’s order highlights a lack of accountability within the force.
Before the AI camera system was introduced, traffic enforcement largely depended on the police and motor vehicle department officials, who often overlooked violations by uniformed officers. Older camera systems rarely led to fines for police infractions. However, AI cameras do not differentiate between the public and law enforcement, and as all police vehicles are registered under the DGP’s name, notices have been flooding headquarters. Officers have been repeatedly caught running red lights, riding without helmets, and failing to wear seat belts. Despite the DGP’s strict orders, traffic violations by police personnel continue to rise, with 3,988 notices issued as of January 1 this year.
In response, the DGP instructed district police chiefs to ensure that officers responsible for violations pay their fines. Notices sent to headquarters were forwarded to the respective districts, but officers have shown little interest in settling their dues. When questioned about the number of fines paid, police headquarters provided a vague response, claiming no consolidated data had been compiled. Two months after the DGP’s directive, most district police chiefs have yet to submit reports. Many officers argue that official travel expenses should cover the fines, leading to confusion over who is ultimately responsible for the payments. The issue remains unresolved, raising concerns about accountability within the police force.
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