Frame rules to act against erring share autorickshaw drivers, says HC
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Transport Secretary to bring in a suitable amendment to the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules, and frame proper rules to take action such as cancellation of permit and seizure of share autorickshaws in the event of dangerous driving or overloading of the vehicles.
Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Transport Secretary to rein in instances of share autorickshaws carrying more passengers than the legally permissible limit, and dangerous driving, which put pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles to hardship.
'Accidents due to drunk driving cannot be taken lightly. It is common knowledge that the autorickshaw drivers operate the vehicles in a rash and negligent manner. They are to be dealt with in a strict manner,' the court observed.
'Carrying more passengers than the permissible limit is to be viewed seriously. The drivers are the custodian of the passengers, and they have a duty to drive carefully. The court has time and again directed the authorities to monitor the share autorickshaws...The government is not taking cognisance of the alarming rate of violation and the consequential loss of human life,' the court said.
It directed the Transport Secretary to submit a report on the action taken, and posted the matter to August 22 for reporting compliance.
The court was hearing an appeal preferred by Chellapandian of Ramanathapuram district. In 2015, the appellant rode his share autorickshaw, carrying more than 10 passengers, in a rash and negligent manner under the influence of alcohol, and hit a police van on Madurai-Kamuthi Road. Three persons died on the spot and several others were injured.
The Additional District and Sessions Court in Paramakudi sentenced him to two years' imprisonment. He challenged the judgment. The High Court observed that the appellant acted contrary to the rules, with total disregard for public safety, and dismissed the appeal.
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