Size does matter

Size does matter


Sharan PoovannaFirst Published : 29 Oct 2009 05:37:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 29 Oct 2009 07:16:22 AM IST
Traffic laws are violated every day in Bangalore and more surprising is that some of the laws under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989 are quite often ignored by the city’s Bobbies. Clear regulations on the size and specifications of licence plates to be displayed on vehicles are not being followed in the city.
Traffic police seldom check for these irregularities, though sometimes they fine the driver for unclear and illegible plates. Praveen Sood, ADGP Traffic, said that “number plates that are not friendly to note down are fined”. Other number plates that are not easy to decipher due to varied script writing, colour, size and reflective stickering among others are often penalized by the police, he said. He aslo added that this poses a problem when there is a hit and run case or other traffic violations and the number of the offender is hard to see.
Transport Commissioner, Bhaskar Rao said that “since registration plates are low value fine they are given low priority”. The transport department has very few officers who cannot afford to fine the motorists and it is the duty of the police to ensure that the rule is being followed, he said.
Registration plate painters and designers of the city say that they make the colour and design according to the customer’s request.
Narendra Jain, A lawyer in the city says, “I bought the car and it came with the number plates from the showroom, and if the dealer follows the rules then I automatically do, if not then I dont as well”. Sharath Srinivasan, a city-based techie said, “It is completely unacceptable that a rule is made and not being enforced”.
Michelle Rao said that she is not fully aware of the specifications but will adhere to it if the rules are made aware to the public”.