Starting next month, Mangaluru will enforce stricter traffic laws to ensure safer roads and better traffic discipline. At the ‘Bus Drivers – Operators Information Worker 2024’ event, Deputy Commissioner of Police B P Dinesh Kumar announced significant increases in penalties for traffic violations.
The new laws will replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) with the BNS penal code. Under the new code, negligent driving, currently punishable under IPC 279, will be replaced by BNS Act 281, with penalties increasing to a fine of Rs 10,000 and imprisonment of up to three years, from the current Rs 5,000 fine and six months imprisonment. Additionally, driving licenses of those guilty of racing, drunken driving, using mobile phones while driving, overtaking, red light violations, and one-way driving will be revoked.
DCP Kumar also announced plans to install CCTV cameras on all city roads to detect violations like not wearing helmets, using mobile phones while driving, and not wearing seat belts. Assistant Commissioner of Police Najma Farooqui supported these changes, advocating for revised timings for private city buses and mandatory use of computerized ticket machines.
These new laws are part of Mangaluru’s commitment to making the city’s roads accident-free and ensuring citizen safety. The changes are expected to be implemented next month.