Kozhikode: Motor Vehicle Department joint drive to reduce accidents

KOZHIKODE: The Motor Vehicle Department’s (MVD) joint inspection at the zonal level launched last week is getting a positive response as more than Rs 10 lakh has been collected as fines from offenders in two districts. The drive, launched under the North Zone Deputy Transport Commissionerate, has already covered Kozhikode and Kannur districts and will soon conduct similar drives in Kasargod and Wayanad districts.

As part of the joint drive, MVD officials from all four districts under the North Zone would come together in one district and conduct inspections in different parts on a single day. The joint team consists of nearly 20 officials from four districts. According to MVD officials, almost 60 percent of the vehicles plying on the day and 80 percent of the roads are covered during the campaign. Speaking to DC, Deputy Transport Commissioner (North Zone) Dr P.M Mohammed Najeeb said that the drive would intensify in the coming days and would continue as a regular practice.

“We cannot expect a drastic reduction in the number of accidents with the drive, however as it becomes a continuous process, people will be aware of the strong enforcement of rules which in turn would definitely help in reducing the number of accidents,” he said. “The new traffic rules which would come into effect soon and are accompanied with hefty penalties for the offenders and people need to be bothered about the rules. When they realize rules are being enforced strictly by the authorities, obviously there would be a tendency among people to follow rules properly,” he added.

“Our aim is to reduce the number of accidents on the roads and also to make sure the rules are being followed. People should understand that the MVD is enforcing the rules and be cautious in following it strictly. Revenue generation is not what the department is really bothered about while conducting such drives,” added Kannur RTO K.M Ummer. The drive, which was affected by the shortage of hands, has now been revived after a gap. Despite the high vehicle density, the MVD has only 12 offices in the North zone. The comprehensive enforcement of rules in the roads is affected due to the shortage of staff and offices in North Kerala.