The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has suspended 879 driving licences for rash and negligent driving in the last ten months. This is a significant increase from the previous year, when only 543 licences were suspended.
This decision comes in response to a surge in traffic violations and the alarming number of accidents in Pune. The RTO has received recommendations from the traffic police to take strict action against repeat offenders, and the suspension of driving licences is seen as a necessary step in this direction.
Vijay Kumar Magar, DCP (traffic), Pune, stated that the traffic department had submitted a proposal to the RTO authorities to suspend the driving licences of individuals who have been booked for two or more traffic violations within a month. “We believe that this measure will send a strong message to habitual violators and deter them from committing further offenses,” he added.
The RTO has taken this action in an effort to reduce traffic accidents and improve road safety.
The most common offences for which licences were suspended include:
# Speeding
# Rash driving
# Drunk driving
# Speaking on a mobile phone while driving
# Not wearing a seat belt
The suspension of 879 driving licences is a significant development, as it shows that the RTO is taking a tough stance against traffic violators. This is likely to send a message to the public that rash and negligent driving will not be tolerated. The news is also significant because it highlights the RTO’s commitment to improving road safety
Impact of the suspension
The suspension of 879 driving licences is likely to have a positive impact on road safety in Pune. It is likely to deter motorists from engaging in rash and negligent driving, and encourage them to be more careful on the road. The news is also likely to raise awareness of the importance of road safety, and encourage people to report traffic violations
The action that will be taken by RTO against the violators are :
- Their driving licenses will be suspended for six months.
- If caught driving during the suspension period, they will be fined ₹5,000 and their vehicle will be impounded.
- They can also be prosecuted for a criminal offense under the Indian Penal Code for rash and negligent driving without a valid license.
The RTO has also warned that stricter punishments will be imposed on those who continue to disrespect traffic rules. This may include the cancellation of driving licences, hefty fines, and even imprisonment. The authorities are also considering introducing a system of demerit points, where drivers will get points for each violation and their licences will be suspended or canceled if they reach a certain point .
The RTO has attributed the increase to a number of factors, including:
- Stricter enforcement: The Pune traffic police have been cracking down on traffic violations in recent months, and have been issuing more tickets and challans for rash and negligent driving.
- Increased awareness: There has been a growing awareness of the dangers of rash and negligent driving, and more people are reporting such violations to the authorities.
- Social media: Social media has also played a role in raising awareness of rash and negligent driving, with many people sharing videos and photos of such incidents on social media platforms.
Apart from suspending driving licences, the RTO is also conducting awareness campaigns and educating the public about the importance of road safety. RTO is also working closely with the traffic police to enforce traffic rules more effectively.The RTO’s action is aimed at deterring people from rash and negligent driving, which is a major cause of road accidents and fatalities.
The measures taken by the Pune RTO are a welcome step towards improving road safety in the city. However, it is important that these measures are implemented consistently and that strict action is taken against violators. And RTO is trying its best to make Pune a safe driving zone.