After a study revealed that majority of auto-rickshaw drivers had no valid licences and permits, the traffic police, in coordination with the Transport Department, have decided to introduce smart cards to track them down.
Once the cards are issued, passengers can ask drivers to produce them before hiring vehicles. This will enable one to know the driver’s details, and they can send the details mentioned on the card through an SMS to their family members, according to a senior traffic police official.
He said both traffic and transport wings had decided to introduce smart cards to auto drivers after a study revealed that a majority of them were driving without valid licences, permits and other documents. “We also face problems in tracking down drivers who are involved in an offence. The smart card will now enable us to reach them easily,” he said.
With the help of Personal Digital Assistant (PDS) device, the traffic police can know whether the driver possesses valid documents, merely by swiping the card. Failing to carry the card while driving could even mean seizure of the vehicle, he added. Another advantage is that the cards cannot be tampered with, the official said.
Before issuing smart cards, the details of drivers would be verified with the data available with Transport department. Auto Rickshaw Unions Joint Action Committee Convenor D. Shankar welcomed the move and said that it should be first implemented on pilot basis.