The Meghalaya High Court has asked the State government to instruct the traffic enforcement agencies on to the importance of adherence to traffic safety rules and other requirements to curb the menace of rash driving by two wheelers especially taking into account that the festive season is around the corner.
The order was passed today by the division bench of the High Court on a PIL filed by Romilton Pahsyntiew.
Pahsyntiew in his PIL stated that there was failure on the part of the law enforcement agencies to enforce stringent provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 with regard to reckless and negligent riding of two wheelers at a high speed within the district.
He also drew the attention of the court to the information received by an RTI application which shows that there have been 21 fatalities and 28 injuries in the period of 12 months from July 30, 2022 to July 23, 2023 due to reckless riding.
Pahsyntiew therefore sought for appropriate directions by the High Court to be issued to direct the traffic enforcement agencies to strictly enforce the Motor Vehicles Act and to install proper checks at strategic points to stem this menace.
Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming festive season and to curb cases of drunk driving, the Shillong Traffic Police (STP) has informed that it will be conducting vigorous checking drives throughout Shillong city, including bypasses, highways, and locality roads with immediate effect.
In an order issued today, the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills said that the police will focus more on detecting cases of drunk and dangerous driving, in addition to other Motor Vehicle Act violations to ensure safe driving and reduce road crash casualties and fatalities.
As per the order, anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol exceeding the permissible limit (30 mg per 100 ml of blood) shall be punishable under Section 185 of Motor Vehicle Act with a fine of Rs 10,000 or imprisonment which may extend for six months or both.
“Motorists have been urged to not drink and drive for the safety of themselves and others,” the SP said.
