Udupi: In a move aimed at strengthening road safety and reducing accidents caused by heavy vehicles, the district Road Safety Authority has decided to make speed governors mandatory for all six-wheeler and above vehicles transporting mines and minerals within the district. The maximum speed limit for such vehicles has been fixed at 60 kmph, and vehicle owners and drivers have been given a grace period of 10 days to comply with the directive.

Decision taken after safety review

The decision was finalised during a recent meeting of the district Road Safety Authority, where concerns over the frequent over-speeding of tipper and dumper vehicles were discussed in detail. Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said that speeding heavy vehicles transporting construction material, minerals and mine products had emerged as a major safety concern on district roads.

“Complaints regarding rash and negligent driving by tipper and dumper drivers have been increasing. Considering the risk posed to other road users, the Road Safety Authority has decided to strictly enforce the installation of speed governors,” the SP said.

Speed limit fixed at 60 kmph

Under the new directive, all six-wheeler and above vehicles involved in transporting mines and minerals must have functional speed governors calibrated to ensure that the vehicle speed does not exceed 60 kmph. Officials said this limit has been fixed keeping in mind the road conditions, traffic density and safety of pedestrians and two-wheeler users.

The authorities clarified that the rule applies specifically to vehicles carrying mining and mineral materials, which are often large, heavy and difficult to manoeuvre at high speeds. Speed governors are expected to significantly reduce the chances of fatal accidents involving such vehicles.

Grace period for compliance

To ensure smooth implementation, the Road Safety Authority has decided to provide a grace period of 10 days for vehicle owners and operators to install speed governors. During this period, enforcement agencies will focus on creating awareness rather than penalising violators.

However, officials warned that strict action would be taken once the grace period ends. Vehicles found operating without speed governors after the deadline will face penalties as per the Motor Vehicles Act, and repeat offenders may face seizure of vehicles.

Awareness drive for drivers

To ensure that no stakeholder remains uninformed, the police department will launch an awareness campaign targeting lorry and heavy vehicle drivers. Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said pamphlets detailing the new rules and safety guidelines will be distributed to drivers in the coming days.

“We want drivers and owners to understand that this measure is not punitive, but preventive. The aim is to save lives and reduce accidents,” he said, adding that transport associations would also be informed about the decision.

Reminder on bus door rule

Meanwhile, the police have reiterated that January 20 is the final deadline for installing doors in buses operating within the district. The rule applies to all stage carriage buses, including private and contract vehicles.

After January 20, buses found operating without doors will be penalised, and in serious cases, such vehicles may be seized. The SP said the rule is being enforced to prevent accidents involving passengers falling from moving buses, a concern that has been highlighted in multiple road safety reviews.

In line with central guidelines

Officials said that both the speed governor directive and the enforcement of bus door installation are in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). These guidelines specifically recommend speed control mechanisms for tippers, dumpers and similar heavy vehicles due to their high accident potential.

“The decisions taken by the district Road Safety Authority are aligned with MoRTH norms. Our objective is to ensure uniform enforcement and improve overall road discipline,” the SP said.

Focus on reducing accidents

Road safety officials pointed out that heavy vehicles are often involved in serious and fatal accidents due to over-speeding, brake failure and poor visibility. By enforcing speed governors and other safety measures, the authorities hope to bring down accident rates and make roads safer for all users.

The police have appealed to vehicle owners, drivers and transport operators to cooperate with the administration and comply with the new rules within the stipulated time.

Conclusion

With the introduction of mandatory speed governors for mining and mineral transport vehicles and stricter enforcement of safety norms for buses, the district Road Safety Authority has signalled a firm commitment to reducing road accidents. Authorities believe that consistent enforcement, combined with awareness among drivers, will play a crucial role in improving road safety and protecting lives.