Bengaluru: Attention Bengaluru commuters! The Karnataka State Police is launching a new initiative targeting drivers who violate traffic guidelines by driving on the wrong side of the road in the city.
Starting August 1, the Karnataka State Police will launch an awareness campaign to crack down on wrong-side driving, driving on footpaths, and vehicles with defective number plates. Officials have been instructed to submit a report on actions taken by August 31.
Alok Kumar, ADGP Traffic and Road Safety, Karnataka, shared on social media a notice dated July 11 highlighting the prevalence of wrong-side driving, particularly on national highways, posing significant safety risks to all road users.
Commuters found driving on the wrong side in Bengaluru will face charges under Sections 281 of the BNS and 184 of the IMV, leading to FIR registration. Violators on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway risk temporary suspension of their driving licenses.
Alok Kumar emphasized that the initiative aims to curb violations that contribute to accidents in the state, stating, “Wrong-side driving and footpath riding inconvenience law-abiding citizens. Our monthly drives aim to reduce such violations statewide.”
The crackdown follows the registration of over 18,000 cases statewide for improper use of high-beam LED lights in a recent enforcement effort. Concerned about rising fatalities due to reckless driving, Karnataka Police have directed local police to enforce measures to improve road safety, including cracking down on defective number plates.
Alok Kumar urged police at local and district levels to take action against traffic violators on highways and within city limits, emphasizing the need to book offenses online, particularly regarding defective number plates.