The year 1929 is a land mark in the history of Madras City Traffic Police. As the prevailing system of work and the territorial division of the city into ranges were found to be unsatisfactory and detrimental to efficiency, the entire organization was remodeled. Responsibility in respect of all matters relating to traffic was assigned to a new Deputy Commissioner of Police. for Traffic, who was also in charge of licensing, Harbour policing and the Langarkhana. Traffic points in the city were increased from 65 to 86.

(a) Police Inspector - 1892

(b) Sub-Inspector with Turban - 1955

(c) Sub-Inspector with Forage cap - 1955

 

Provisions were also made for reinforcing men on some traffic points and as well as longer periods for point duties were allowed.

Additional men were provided to regulate the arrival and departure of buses at the terminus and to regulate traffic in congested parts of the streets other than traffic points.

There were also staff to check motor vehicles on roads and at parking places with a view to enforce the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and Road Traffic Code. Control of traffic grew into a big and complex problem after the end of the first world war.

The Chennai Traffic police underwent a series of changes in its organization during the 20th Century.

This increase in work load necessitated creation of a new post of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic and Licensing in 1934 for Madras City.

The year 1939 was notable for the introduction of the Madras Motor Vehicle Act by means of which new motor vehicle rule and the Road Traffic Rules were brought into force. The most radical change was the constitution of Road Traffic Boards to take over licensing powers held solely by the Police. The changes brought about by the new rules resulted in considerable improvement in the control of Motor Traffic.

The growth of the city traffic police is always linked with the expansion and development of Chennai City with the rapid increase in the number of vehicles on the roads.

At present Chennai Traffic police is covering an area of 874 Sq kms and more than 3200 Kms of Road.

The first Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic was posted in the year 1929, subsequently called Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic (North) after the creation of the post of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic (South) in the year 1996.