The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Crash course for rash drivers

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Saturday, Apr 18, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Crash course for rash drivers

This will be in addition to the suspension of driving licence if the case ends up in conviction, says
S. Vijay Kumar

Rash and negligent driving resulting in a fatal accident will not only mean seizure of the vehicle by police but also imply undergoing a crash course to improve driving skills. This will be in addition to the suspension of driving licence if the case ends up in conviction.

The Chennai City Traffic Police have introduced a system where all those held on charges of 304 (A) IPC (causing death due to negligence) would have to take a crash course from the Institute of Road Transport at Gummudipoondi. Their vehicle impounded by the traffic police for inspection by the Road Transport Officer will be released on the production of the course completion certificate.

“Notwithstanding the legal proceedings, we want to ensure that accused in fatal accident cases get back to the road with better driving skills. The crash course will make him/her a better driver. Steps have been taken to make the norm applicable to Metropolitan Transport Corporation drivers as well,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M. Shakeel Akhtar.

The traffic police were taking effective steps to prevent drunken driving. “In case of drunken driving, we are suspending the driving licence for six months. If the accused is not in possession of a driving licence, the vehicle would be impounded and released only after a learner’s licence is obtained,” he said.

Expressing concern over hit and run cases, Mr. Shakeel Akhtar said 11 persons died in road accidents in which unidentified vehicles ran over them and sped away. At least 16 persons were injured in such accidents.

“Though there are eyewitnesses in some cases, they are not willing to give evidence. We have formed special teams to meticulously investigate all hit and run cases. So far three cases have been detected.”

A couple of meetings were held with the Joint Commissioner of Transport and Road Transport Officers to implement the new rules, he added.

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