Errant Drivers, Beware! Follow traffic rules or lose licence!

In an attempt to put the brakes on the increasing road accidents across Maharashtra, the state RTO has decided to go tough and punish the offenders stringently. Thus, from now onwards, if anybody is caught violating traffic norms in the state, he/she may lose their driving licence for 3 months!!

According to the Notification issued by the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), the RTO would suspend your licence for a minimum of three months for the following traffic violations:

1) Driving beyond permitted speed limit 2) Driving under the influence of alcohol 3) Jumping signal 4) Overloading or carrying passengers in commercial vehicles 5) Driving without helmet 6) Talking on the mobile phone while driving.
In its circular issued by the Additional DGP (Traffic), all the police stations and the Traffic Branch have been given authorised to act tough and issue maximum licence suspensions so that it serves as an alarm to other motorists and they drive cautiously and follow the traffic rules diligently.

Briefing the media about the new traffic norms, a RTO official said, “We are confident that this G.R. will bring down violation of traffic norms and play a crucial role in controlling accidents.” He added, “Earlier, as the motorists would escape after paying penalty, hence they kept repeating the errors. But, now with the licences being suspended for three months, it will have a huge impact. Motorists will surely feel the pinch of travelling without their own vehicles for three months. Hence, this would serve as a lesson to drive safely and observe traffic norms.”

RTO acts tough to bring down accidents 
Besides Mumbai, many other commercial cities of Maharashtra like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, etc. witness a large number of accidents due to rash driving and violation of traffic norms. In 2017, Maharashtra reported as many as 35,800 road accidents in a single year. Approximately 10,000 people were killed in these unfortunate accidents. Hence, in a bid to control road accidents and make the drivers aware about the consequences of road rage, the RTO has decided to act stringently and suspend the licence for three months so that motorists repent their mistake and learn to drive safely in future.

Supreme Court committee appointed 
A few months back, the Supreme Court had appointed a committee to inspect the road safety measures adopted by RTO. In its investigation, the committee observed a huge increase in road accidents and the number of road accident fatalities in India. Hence, the committee had recommended the state RTOs to adopt stringent steps to bring down accidents and violation of traffic rules.  On November 12, during the Review Meeting, the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra brought to light the bitter truth that RTO rarely suspends licences of the offenders of traffic rules. Hence, the motorist continued violating traffic rules. Thus, it was decided to act tough and suspend licences of the offenders for 3 months.

Mulundkars React
When Home Times spoke to Mulundkars, many applauded RTO’s new rule. Roshni Sahu, a student, told Home Times, “I go to my college at Bhandup on my scooty. While on my way I find many drivers driving without helmets. What is amazing is that these drivers keep their helmets on the handles of their bikes and wear only when they sight an RTO officer.” Moaning at the sick mentality of such people, Roshni said, “Though they pride that they have conned the RTO officer, but the fact is they are fooling their own life. But now, these errant drivers will surely wear helmets due to the fright of losing their licence.”

Another Mulund East resident said, “I have seen several college students talking over their mobiles while driving. Many times, these youth are so engrossed in their conversation, they don’t even observe pedestrians on the roads. During monsoon, they drive over potholes filled with water and drench other pedestrians! Though the angry pedestrians make a hue and cry, but these youth give a deaf ear to their anger and zoom-off!”

When Home Times spoke to the RTO wing in Mulund, the RTO officer said, “The RTO office has issued the G.R., but we have still not received its copy. Hence, our Department is waiting for the written document. No sooner we get a written copy we would start nabbing traffic rule violators and suspend their licences.”

Home Times hopes RTO would act stringently and impose the new rule strictly so that not only accidents are reduced but the motorists can have some civic sense and drive safely!

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