Cracking the whip against road traffic violations, the Cuddalore police have suspended driving licences of 6,785 people.
The suspension of licence is valid for a minimum of three months.
According to statistics available with the Cuddalore District Police, 6,255 driving licences were suspended till October for involvement in various traffic-related offences.
Of them, 891 licences were suspended for drunk driving, 407 for speeding, 418 for overloading passengers beyond the permitted level, and 39 licences for overloading mini goods vehicles.
In addition, 3,602 licences were suspended for using mobile phones while driving and 889 for jumping signals. As many as 530 licences were suspended in November.
Superintendent of Police P. Saravanan said the police had recommended to the Regional Transport Officers to suspend the licences for traffic violations under Section 19 (1) (f) of the Motor Vehicles Rules and Section 21 of Central Motor Vehicle Act. The licences will remain suspended for three months.
Zero tolerance
The police adopted a zero tolerance approach to traffic violations to ensure safe driving in Cuddalore and to reduce the number of fatal accidents.
Police sources said 398 fatal accidents and 2,690 non-fatal accidents were reported in Cuddalore district till October 31.
Drunken driving and overspeeding are the major causes for road accidents.
Mr. Saravanan said that instances of minors caught while driving were on the rise and cautioned parents against encouraging such practices.
Thirty minors were caught this year and their parents were taken to task for allowing them to drive without a valid driving licence.
