Ernakulam Rural police in Keralam book 17,181 for traffic violations in 11 days

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The Ernakulam Rural police have taken action against 17,181 vehicle owners for traffic violations during the first 11 days of November, with enforcement agencies launching an intensified crackdown on offenders following criticism over repeated fatal road accidents.

Of this, as many as 1,017 people were booked for drunken driving during the special drive. Action was taken against drivers of 1,316 vehicles for speeding and reckless driving. These included 278 buses.

Cases were registered against 25 buses for serious traffic violations.

The police have also recommended the cancellation of the driving licences of 66 people, including parents or guardians of minors caught driving vehicles.

Special teams have been deployed across all five subdivisions in the rural police district as part of the enforcement drive led by District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) K.S. Sudarshan.

“Checks are being carried out round the clock. Inspections are also under way at district borders, with police dogs deployed as part of the operation,” the police said.

The intensified drive comes amid growing concerns over fatal road accidents in Ernakulam district.

A luxury car crashed into a two-wheeler near Nedumbassery on October 11, claiming the lives of three youths. On October 25, a 55-year-old two-wheeler rider was fatally knocked down by a speeding car, allegedly driven by a minor, at Cheranalloor.

A 28-year-old woman pedestrian was run over by a private bus near Kakkanad on November 4.

The Kerala High Court has repeatedly criticised the authorities over inadequate road safety enforcement and their failure to prevent reckless driving.

The police said the inspections would continue in the coming days and warned of strict action against violators. The Kochi city police and the Motor Vehicles Department have also launched a series of enforcement drives in the wake of the recent accidents.