Drivers using mobile phones while driving; public demand action

Mangaluru: CCTV cameras installed within city limits have failed to prevent bus drivers from speaking on mobile phones while driving. Hence, a senior citizen urged the police department to take tough action against such errant behavior during the weekly phone-in programme at Police Commissioner’s office on Friday May 10^th.

Elaborating on the situation, the senior citizen informed that if the passengers asked the drivers to quit using their phone, it usually ended up in a quarrel. Therefore he urged the police to voluntarily book cases against such drivers to put an end to this offence.

Responding to the complaint, Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil replied that the police have been booking cases against such errant drivers on several occasions. On finding a driver using a phone while driving, the public can pass the information to the Whatsapp number 9480802300. The identity of the informer will be kept a secret, he informed.

Other callers complained of truck drivers transporting sand, cement, urea and other goods without covering them on the surface in violation to the rule that such products be covered by tarpaulins during transportation. Callers also complained of fish transporting vehicles discharging water on the roads.

Mr Patil replied that action will be taken against drivers violating goods transportation rules. He also informed that fish carrying trucks have been issued notice asking them, not to discharge the waster on roads. A total of 10 cases have been booked against fish carrying vehicles for violation of the notice within a week, he added.