PANAJI
In a circular issued to all challaning officers stationed across the traffic cells in the state, Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Devesh Kumar Mahla has directed all challaning officers to ensure that there is no undue hardship caused to the motorists and only those who are found committing violation of traffic laws like riding without a helmet, driving without a seat belt, rash and negligent driving, using tinted glad, carrying excess pillion riders, without a proper number plate and other prima facie offences or is suspected to have committed these should be stopped.
“It has been observed that while carrying out enforcement of traffic laws, several motorists are unnecessarily stopped under the pretext of checking, thereby creating unnecessary traffic congestion and hardship to law-abiding motorists,” the circular reads.
However, once a vehicle is stopped for a particular violation, all relevant documents and other violations will be checked and maximum fine will be imposed
Meanwhile, traffic cops have appealed to all two wheeler riders and pillion riders to wear an ISI-marked helmet and to fasten the helmet strap while riding a two wheeler.
It was pointed out that during the year 2016, out of total 336 persons killed in road accidents, 228 were motorcyclists. Of these, 186 were riders and 42 were pillion riders. Whereas, from January till May 31, 2017, out of total 144 persons killed, 103 were motorcyclists, of which 13 were pillion riders.
“While Section 129 of the central Motor Vehicle Act makes it compulsory for pillion riders to use helmet, under the Goa MV Rules, 1991, wearing helmet is not mandatory for pillion riders. Hence, strict implementation is not possible without amendment of the Rules. Hence, we will only advice people to wear it as we are losing many lives on roads,” SP Traffic Devesh stated.
