After six-month relaxation, strict enforcement of MV rules from tomorrow

Cuttack: The State Transport Authority, Odisha today asked Collectors, SPs and DCPs (Traffic) to enforce road safety rules across the State from March 1, 2020. In a letter, Transport Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda directed the officials to carry out strict enforcement against dangerous life threatening road safety violations.

The officials have been asked to check drunken driving, driving at a speed exceeding the specified limit (over speeding), red light jumping, driving against flow of traffic, using mobile while driving, dangerous driving, triple riding on two-wheeler, helmetless driving, not wearing seat belt and overloading.

“The government had allowed relaxation for six months to the road users to obtain documents and the same comes to an end on February 29, 2020. Hence from March 1, 2020, the amended provisions of MV Act, 1988 will be enforced in true spirit,” the letter mentioned.

Also, the Transport Commissioner asked to focus on underage driving and overcrowded vehicles carrying school children.

“While checking the documents and other offences in respect of vehicle users, it should be ensured that minimum inconvenience is caused to the public. At a time, maximum four vehicles should be detained, so as to minimise the inconvenience to the public and ensure normal flow of traffic,” the letter read.

The Transport Commissioner further stated emphasis be laid on offence relating to drunken driving while conducting enforcement.

During the period from September to December, 2019, more than ten thousand drunken drivers were arrested. This apart, the deaths due to road accidents during the period fell by 17 percent.