Six traffic offences to attract suspension of licence

In what appears to be stringent step to prevent road traffic accidents, officials of Police and Transport Department are gearing up to adhere with a recent circular which directs them to suspend licence of motorists for a period of minimum three months for six major traffic offences.

The circular cites a recent directive by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety to enforce road laws in a strict manner across Tamil Nadu which is the second position for number of accidents.

“Tamil Nadu stands second in the country in terms of road traffic accidents whereas Coimbatore holds the same position in the State.

The circular directs police and Road Transport Authority officials to initiate temporary suspension of licence for six major traffic offences.

The intention is to take proactive steps to prevent increasing number of accidents,” said S. Saravanan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic).

The six major traffic offences that will attract suspension of licence for a minimum period of three months are: driving at a speed exceeding the specified limit, jumping red signal, carrying overload in goods carriage and carrying persons in goods carriages, speaking on mobile while driving, driving without wearing seat belt, and drunk drive.

Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety had earlier also issued directions to States and Union Territories to initiate suspension of licence for a period of not less than three months for the above violations under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 read with Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Mr. Saravanan said that regular vehicle checking conducted in city limits will further be intensified following the circular.

He said that suspension of licence can be initiated for the six offences even if it is a first time violation.

As suspension of licence does not come under the ambit of Police Department, cops will sent reports to Road Transport Authority to initiate action.

S. Udhayakumar, Regional Transport Officer, Coimbatore Central, said that the department has received the above circular from the Transport Commissioner, Chennai.