In a bid to encourage motorists to maintain road discipline and desist from violating traffic rules, the Hyderabad traffic police have come up with a new initiative of offering free movie ticket coupons to motorists who have zero challans on their vehicles. The movie ticket coupons issued by PVR Cinemas could be redeemed within 90 days for a movie of the motorists’ choice.

On Tuesday, the traffic police conducted checks at the Punjagutta circle and gave 30 movie tickets to motorists who did not have any pending challan for any traffic rule violations. Similarly, other police stations will carry out similar vehicle inspections once a month.

“There’s a common complaint that we are only aiming at penalising the motorists. But they don’t understand the intent behind it. We are not here to make money, but to discourage them from violating rules. Through this initiative, we want to say that we don’t just penalise them for violating the rules, but also reward them for being a good motorist,” West Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Koteshwar Rao told TNM.

The police are conducting occasional checks and if the motorists are found with pending challans, they are asked to clear the challans as soon as possible, and those with zero challans, are rewarded with a free movie ticket.

“Of course, besides giving movie tickets, we also ask them to follow the traffic rules for their own safety,” Punjagutta Traffic Inspector, Ravi said.

ACP Koteshwar said, “This initiative is not restricted to our zone alone; it will be carried out in all the zones under Hyderabad traffic police jurisdiction.”

This initiative has been going on for the one month.  The trial was conducted in Jubilee Hills about 15 days ago, the ACP said.

Recently, the city traffic police have been taking strict actions against those who are breaking the traffic rules. The offenders are being booked under serious charges, which often result in imprisonment.