Violate traffic rules thrice, get auto, taxi permits seized

Monday, 28 June, 2010


Autorickshaw and taxi drivers have reasons to worry. Soon, they will be penalised for any traffic violation. If they violate the norms three times, their permits would be seized.

Traffic norm violation would include driving without uniforms, refusal to take passengers to their destinations, overcharging or misbehaving with passengers, driving without licences or permits or under the influence of alcohol and rash driving.

Delhi Traffic Police is now compiling data of auto- and taxi-drivers who are habitual traffic norms violator. The traffic police would soon hand it over to transport department with recommendation of cancellation of their permits.

Officials in the department of Traffic said that prosecution and penalty under the existing Motor Vehicle Act did not help reduce the traffic norm violations by autos and taxis in Delhi. The department has registered 1,03,885 cases of traffic norms violation till June this year.

Ajay Chadha, Special CP (Traffic) said: "Traffic violations by autos and taxis cause a lot of accidents. Besides, these public transport vehicles cause nuisance for road users. Intensif-ying prosecution and penalty didn't actually provide any significant relief. So we are recommending that the Transport department take stern action against the violators, especially the habitual ones by cancelling or seizing their permits."

Rajeev Ranjan, ACP (Road Safety), said, "A Supreme Court directive has empowered us to suspend permits of offending commercial vehicles, but we are not authorised to do the same for autos and taxis."

R.K. Verma, Commissioner, Transport Department said: "After receiving data from Delhi Traffic police we will cancel permits of those violators who were not prosecuted by court."

Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Violate-traffic-rules-thrice-get-auto-taxi-permits-seized/Article1-564530.aspx