Assam Police wakes up to road safety

Traffic violators to face three-month suspension of driving license

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 8: Five months after a special panel set up by the Supreme Court suggested sterner measures against traffic violators, Assam Police has filly woken up and have decided to implement the directions.

DCP (Traffic) Prab Jyoti Goswami said the licenses of the drivers caught driving in inebriated condition would be suspended for three months, a decree given by the apex court panel.

"In keeping with the instructions of the special committee set up by the Supreme Court on traffic control, we will start the drive from the road safety week to be observed in the city," Goswami said.

In August last, the special panel set up by the Supreme Court of India to monitor and measure implementation of road safety laws in the country had decreed that drivers guilty of these everyday offences should have their licenses suspended.  And where motoring offences are more serious, it has asked the government to ensure the imprisonment of traffic violators under relevant provisions of the law.

The committee has issued specific instructions to all states and UTs  and their concerned departments to suspend the license of a driver for a period of not less than 3 months.

"Non-use of helmet and seat belt during driving is one of the main reasons for the rising number of road accidents in the city and the State. Another reason for accidents is overtaking another vehicle through the wrong side, which affects people travelling in both the vehicles," Goswami said.

In 2014, total number of accidents in Kamrup metropolitan district was 1,124 of which 287 were fatal cases, leading to the death of 304 people. In 2015, the total numbers of accidents were 1,156 of which, 269 were fatal cases, resulting in the death of 303 people. Altogether 77 motorcylists had died in mishaps in 2015.

"Alysis shows that 30 per cent of these bikers died while overtaking a vehicle through the wrong side. Others were found not wearing helmet during driving. We have also noticed that 60 per cent of the accidents were in the high way," he said.

Rash and careless driving and fog are other reasons leading to accidents.

Goswami said the police will soon fix responsibilities on the owners of the commercial vehicles who employ unskilled drivers and handymen.