Driving rash? Face arrest

Driving rash? Face arrest
The Times of India

Bangalore: Think twice before driving dangerously on the city’s congested roads. You will be arrested and detained in a police station till you are released on bail either in the station or in a court.

After taking charge as Police Commissioner, Ajai Kumar Singh told the traffic policemen during a review meeting to consider the option of arresting rash drivers to bring discipline on the city’s roads, instead of letting them off after collecting Rs 300 fine meant for dangerous driving.

Acting on this directive, Malleswaram traffic police on Wednesday morning stopped a luxury taxi driver, Shivakumar, on Sankey Road when he was found driving the car rashly to reach a resort near Nelamangala.

The police detained the driver in the police station till evening. He was released after his family members gave bail application by furnishing driving licence and vehicle documents as surety. “The whole exercise is meant to strike fear among those who care less for traffic rules,’’ Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) Lakshman Singh said.

“It is a bailable offence. We can release the accused driver in the station itself by making their family members or employers or others to furnish the bail bond. Or they can be sent to a court and the magistrate is empowered to order a six-month imprisonment or collect a fine of up to Rs 1,000,’’ Singh explained.

If the same driver repeats the offence within three years, the magistrate can send him or her to jail for a period of two years or collect a fine up to Rs 2,000 or both under Section 184 of MV Act, Singh added.

But Singh has asked the traffic policemen to exercise this option in rarest of rare cases and not to harass the public.

RED SIGNAL
Stopped on the road. Driver will be arrested and detained at the police station. He/she will be allowed to contact parents or relatives or friends who can give them bail either at the police station or in a court. If the charge is proved, the guilty will be sent to jail or asked to pay a hefty fine in the court. If a driver commits similar offence within three years, he/she can be imprisoned for two years. Police will recommend for suspension of driving licence.