In an attempt to minimise road accidents caused due to rash and negligent driving, the Chennai Traffic Police have decided to register cases against those involved in dangerous driving.
“Instead of imposing a spot fine, we will now register a First Information Report (FIR) in cases of rash/negligent driving. This means that the accused person's vehicle will be confiscated and the case will be sent to the court for disposal,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Ravi said on Monday.
He said a majority of fatal accidents were caused due to dangerous driving and some deterrent action was imperative to curb the menace. Besides monitoring vehicular traffic through surveillance cameras installed at different junctions, traffic police were also stationed strategically to check violations such as over-speeding, Mr. Ravi said.
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A SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) that was allegedly transporting more than a dozen schoolchildren and violated red signal at Napier Bridge was intercepted by the police on Monday evening.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North) S. Manoharan and other traffic personnel were along the Chief Minister's convoy route when they saw the vehicle over-speeding and jumping the red signal.
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“We chased and intercepted the vehicle near War Memorial and found more than a dozen schoolchildren huddled in it. This is in clear violation of the standing instructions with regard of transportation of schoolchildren ... the school authorities and parents should not have allowed this as it is dangerous,” Mr. Manoharan said.
He said a case would be registered against the driver and the vehicle owner for the negligence.
Special teams formed
“Special teams have been formed to check vehicles transporting schoolchildren over and above the stipulated limit. In case of habitual offenders, we will take steps to cancel the driving licence and permit of the vehicle,” he said.