In a strong push for enhanced road safety, Mangaluru City Police have mandated the use of safety harnesses for children under the age of four while riding on two-wheelers. This new requirement complies with a Supreme Court directive and aims to safeguard the youngest passengers on city roads.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime & Traffic) K Ravi Shankar stressed that transporting children without a harness constitutes a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. He also reminded citizens that both the rider and the child must wear ISI-certified helmets.
To ensure smooth enforcement and reduce traffic disruptions, the city is leveraging AI-powered surveillance cameras to track compliance. These smart cameras will automatically detect violations and issue digital challans—eliminating the need for manual checks.
This measure follows a troubling rise in road accident fatalities. City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy revealed that 75 people have died in accidents within Mangaluru limits this year alone, 70 of them due to reckless driving—a majority involving individuals under 30.
A recent and heartbreaking case was the death of NSUI district vice-president Omshree Poojary, who lost his life in an accident involving a drunk driver. The offender is now facing charges under Sections 183 and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, with fines reaching Rs 10,000.
By combining legal enforcement, technology, and public awareness, Mangaluru aims to turn the tide on its alarming road safety statistics.