Tough new dos and don'ts for three-wheelers

Regulations have been made under the Motor Traffic Act and will apply to owners and drivers of motor tricycles (three-wheelers) which transport persons for hire. More than a million three-wheelers are registered in the country.

The new regulations make it mandatory for the off side (right side) opening to the passenger’s compartment to be partially or fully closed permanently to prevent any entry or exit by a passenger.

It will be an offence to allow any passenger to enter into or exit from the three wheelers by scaling over the off side (right side) of the three-wheeler.

The law also prohibits the driver of a three-wheeler from carrying anyone in the driver’s compartment or on the driver’s seat.

There will also be a restriction on carrying goods that extend out from the vehicle while using any equipment that emanates sound so as to disturb or annoy other road users is also prohibited. Such sounds will have to be regulated to ensure that it is confined within the vehicle and intended for the hearing only of the occupants therein.

It will also be mandatory for three-wheelers to have a taximeter which is operational at all times, a speedometer, electrically or electronically operated windscreen wiper and covers fitted to protect the driver and the passengers from weather conditions.

Three-wheelers that carry passengers will also need to display behind the driver’s seat clearly visible to passengers the registration number, the name and the driving license number of the driver; a photograph of the driver (size: 65x50 millimeters); and telephone numbers of the respective police stations where the vehicle is registered, to inform in case of emergency.

Drivers of three-wheelers are prohibited from smoking while driving and are expected to behave in a civil and orderly manner and carry passengers to their destinations by the shortest possible route unless otherwise requested by the passengers.