No data to back penalty rule

With no way to trace them, erring drivers can escape penalty points

The transport department has a major task in maintaining a database of driving licence holders to implement the newly amended Motor Vehicle Rule 45 (a) under which erring drivers will be docked penalty points.

As per the government orders issued on Monday, the transport department should have a comprehensive track record of motorists and share it with the traffic police and other enforcement teams.

Experts say that the implementation problems may face impediments as there was no record of motorists who obtained driving licences before 2012; all they have is the name of the licence holder and address.

Retired additional commissioner (Transport) and transport expert C.L.N. Gandhi said there should be an integrated server with the RTA to share the database. “It is not a big task but the coordination should be continued,” he said.

The transport department has been insisting on motorists providing mobile numbers while registering vehicles and issuing driving licences since 2012. Experts say that in such cases motorists can avoid suspension of driving licence and roam free.

Traffic police says that by strengthening the new