‘Talking on phone’ while driving leads the traffic violation list

NPnews24Online PUNE:  Traffic violation is one of the major concern faced in Pune. In 2017, from the month of January- June the total amount of cases registered were 23581 which have collected 4402700 amounts of fines which have increased by 2018 to 26445 collecting 5485500 amounts of fines. But now, talking on the mobile phone while driving accounts for the highest number of licence suspensions by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pune.

 Around 38.6 per cent of all licences sent for suspension by the traffic police personnel – apart from those fined-on road – are of those who were talking on their mobile phones while driving the vehicle. This includes those who use headphones to communicate while driving as well.

A total of 2,847 driving licences were sent to RTO for offences ranging from driving rashly or neglecting traffic rules, driving under influence of alcohol and other serious traffic violations from January to December 2018.

As per the Regional Transport Office (RTO), licences of 1,104 drivers/ riders were suspended for three months after being caught while talking on mobile phones while driving.

Suspension ranges from 10 days to six months on the request of the traffic police.

Deputy RTO, Sanjay Raut explained that the number of licences suspended is increasing nowadays. The suspension takes place only after the recommendation of the traffic police. Three months’ suspension is for rash driving, over speeding, mobile talking, signal jumping, lane cutting, overload in good carriage and carrying passengers in goods vehicles. When the driver/ riders are caught while drunk and driving, the suspension is for six months. Whether they pay the challan or not, if the traffic police recommend, we suspend the licence.