Panaji (Goa): Acting tough against the traffic violators in an attempt to reduce accidents on the accidents and bring traffic discipline, the Transport Department has suspended 273 motor vehicle licenses in a period of three months from October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. The suspension of the licenses comes following recommendations from the Traffic Police on case-to-case basis. 

As per data shared by the department, maximum 133 licenses were suspended for using mobile phones while driving a vehicle followed 111 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. 

A total of 21 violators saw their licenses suspended for jumping red light, while six licenses were suspended for carrying persons in good carriage, and one each for over speeding and overloading in good carriages. 

In view of increasing violations reported, Director General of Police Muktesh Chander had last year commented that habitual violators of traffic rules should be beaten with shoes. “You have seen this person park below a no-parking zone sign. Did he not see a no-parking sign? What awareness is needed for him? Such people should be beaten with shoes, they should be fined. They should be prosecuted multiple times, only then they will understand,” he had said while launching an awareness drive. 

Subsequently, the DGP introduced Delhi module to crack down on violators of traffic rules termed ‘Traffic sentinel scheme’, a platform on WhatsApp through which citizens can report traffic violations in the state to the traffic cell, and earn cash rewards. The Transport department had also launched a citizen app earlier last year called ‘Complaint Registration’ that allows citizens to file complaints about traffic violations.