COLOMBO – The Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to record dangerous driving and other traffic violations and submit the footage via WhatsApp, saying legal action will be taken against offenders based on the evidence received.
Deputy Inspector General of Police W. P. J. Senadheera, in charge of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, said members of the public could send videos of traffic violations to 070 475 5600 via WhatsApp.
He said police had already taken action in connection with more than 1,400 incidents based on complaints and footage submitted by the public.
The violations reported through the system include speeding and reckless driving, obstructing roads and riding motorcycles without helmets.
DIG Senadheera said strict legal action would be taken against motorists who violate road regulations, without discrimination.
Meanwhile, he said an investigation was under way into an incident in the Dambulla area involving a police officer attached to the Highway Traffic Police Division who had allegedly accepted a bribe.
The officer had been suspended and transferred, while disciplinary and legal action would be taken against him, he said.
DIG Senadheera stressed that misconduct by a small number of police officers could damage the reputation of the entire Police Department.
He also warned that both offering and accepting bribes were offences punishable under the law.
The DIG further said the GovPay system had been introduced to facilitate the payment of traffic fines and that police officers were required to facilitate payment at the scene where the offence was detected.
He said it was improper for officers to refuse to provide the facility and instead direct members of the public to report to a police station to pay a traffic fine.
-ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.