Kerala cops book 1,444 cases in 2 days

Kochi: A staggering 1,444 cases have been registered in just two days during the special drive being carried out by the Ernakulam Rural police to cut down vehicle mishaps.

While a total of 989 cases were lodged for riding without helmets, 239 persons were booked for drunken driving and 202 others for rash and negligent driving. Also 11 cases were lodged for driving while using a mobile and another three for illegal parking.

“Those with helmets but did not wear the straps have also been booked for riding without a helmet. The drive will be continued in the coming days. The aim is to make vehicle users adhere to rules and road safety practices,” said A V George, district police chief. The action has been taken in the wake of rising accidents in the region.

Ernakulam district accounts for the most number of accidents across the state for the last several years. Last year, a total of 366 people died in road mishaps in the rural region alone.

“Now similar drives will be carried out frequently. The FIRs against the offenders will be directly forwarded to courts. In case of drunken driving and driving a vehicle while using a mobile phone, the vehicles and the mobiles will be seized and handed over to the court. The accused will have to either fight the case in the court or pay the fine imposed by the court,” the officer said.