No talking on mobile while driving,' say Mangalore Cops
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jan 20: Additional superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada district, R Ramesh, revealed that the police department has been making arrangements for serving the notices at the doorsteps of the vehicle drivers using mobiles while on road, within two days and to collect fines from them on the spot. “The system will be in place in the next two weeks,” he said.
In the system, the vehicle number, colour and other identification marks would be recorded, and notices will be delivered to the offenders within two days thereof. This system is already in place in Bangalore, he explained.
He was responding to the suggestions given by the people to reduce the number of accidents, at the valedictory function of the Safety Week, held in the city on Tuesday January 19. “For the effective functioning of the system, a proposal has been sent for an additional interceptor vehicle in addition to the one we are having. Once that is received, we can extend the system to even taluk centres. The department will discuss with the City Corporation about the practicability of erecting of separate roads for the pedestrians at PVS, Jyoti and Hampankatta Circles, and also regarding the need to set up humps on the roads within the city,” he added.
He asked the people not to use mobile phones while crossing the road, as the mind fails to properly exercise vigil while on phone. Hence, the pedestrians should either finish their conversations before starting to cross the road, or use their mobile phones after reaching the other side, he advised. Ramesh said that lack of coordination between the engineering department, law implementing agencies and the education department, has been the main stumbling block in minimizing of the accidents. “While the engineering department lays roads, the police department has to look after the law implementation part, while the education department shoulders the responsibility of creating awareness about the responsibilities of the citizens. These departments do not work in tandem, and engage in blame game against each other, which is the root cause for the problems,” he revealed.
Nittre University vice chancellor, Dr M Shantaram Shetty, who was the chief guest, felt that regulating the accidents is a collective responsibility. He handed over prizes to the prize-winning students of a competition organized by the department.