Demand for action against drivers using mobiles while driving

Demand for action against drivers using mobiles while driving

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 11, 2019: There was an overwhelming public demand that urged the police department to take tough action against all drivers using mobiles while driving, during the weekly phone-in programme at Police Commissioner’s office on May 10, Friday.

CCTV cameras installed within city limits have failed to prevent bus drivers from speaking on mobile phones while driving, police on patrol simply ignore such crimes on the road that results in serious hazard to all.

Elaborating on the situation, a  senior citizen informed that if the passengers asked the drivers to quit using their phone, it usually ended up in a quarrel. Therefore he urged the police to voluntarily book cases against such drivers to put an end to this offence.

Responding to the complaint, Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil replied that the police have been booking cases against such errant drivers on several occasions. On finding a driver using a phone while driving, the public can pass the information to the Whatsapp number 9480802300. The identity of the informer will be kept a secret, he informed.

Other callers complained of truck drivers transporting sand, cement, urea and other goods without covering them on the surface in violation to the rule that such products be covered by tarpaulins during transportation. Callers also complained of rotting  fish transporting vehicles creating a stink on city roads. Only a few vans may be discharging oily water, but there is a continuous chain of vehicles carrying rotting fish from Bundar/old port to Ullal and beyond in plastic coloured crates. These crates are unclean and the rotting fish emanates a foul intolerable odour as soon as they speed  by on city roads causing serious trouble. It is easy to control such vehicles at Bundar/old port but surprisingly the authorities ignore even when they pass by on roads here.  It is also possible that bulk of the rotting cargo be transported in barges/boats across the river.

CPC  Patil replied that action will be taken against drivers violating goods transportation rules. He also informed that fish carrying trucks have been issued notice asking them, not to discharge the waster on roads. A total of 10 cases have been booked against fish carrying vehicles for violation of the notice within a week, he added.