The Hindu : Front Page : Madurai police to crack down on motorists using mobile phone

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Wednesday, Feb 23, 2011
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Madurai police to crack down on motorists using mobile phone

Special Correspondent

MADURAI: The city police would impose fines and even impound vehicles if people were found talking over their mobile phones while driving, said Commissioner of Police A. Pari here on Tuesday.

Mr. Pari, who assumed office last week, told reporters that the police would accord top priority to maintenance of law and order, regulation of traffic and prevention of crimes such as chain-snatching.

He said that traffic police had been instructed to conduct random checks on the main thoroughfares against erring drivers. “We are concerned about the life of the riders and drivers since talking over the mobile phone while driving a vehicle results in diversion of mind and causes accidents,” he said and appealed to the motorists to cooperate with the police in enforcing the law. Any person found talking over the mobile phone while driving would be imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000 along with other charges as per Motor Vehicles Act.

Those found guilty of committing such offence frequently might have to lose his driving licence, Mr. Pari said.

Traffic police officers who were present said that using hands-free mobile phones also would attract fines.

When reporters referred to one-way violations and no-parking offences, Mr. Pari assured to take stringent action and ensure that vehicle flow was in no way affected the common man. Despite ‘no parking' signs at Tallakulam, vehicles were being parked on that stretch. A month ago, the then Commissioner of Police P. Balasubramanian, now Inspector General of Police (South Zone), had launched ‘wheel clamp lock' system with which the police clamped wheels of vehicles parked in ‘no parking' zones.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) K. Maghudapathy said that the traffic police had collected fines to the tune of about Rs. one lakh for various offences from motorists, including share auto-rickshaw drivers, for overloading and permit violations till February 21.

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