Odisha Transport Dept Directs RTOs For DL Suspensions Of Traffic Offenders

Traffic violators can now face stringent enforcement of road safety rules with suspension of their Driving License (DL). In a letter to all the regional transport officers of Odisha, the Transport Officers were directed the same on Wednesday.

The letter cited the Supreme Court’s earlier orders of suspending DLs of offenders for three months for various offences of over speeding, drunk driving, etc. According to the letter, suspension of at least 27264 DLs i.e. 39% in the first quarter (Jan-March 2021) and 10724 DLs i.e. 61% in the second quarter (April-June 2021) was observed.

However, the letter stated that if the number of DL suspensions against detections by enforcement officials are observed then the number will be even less. According to the road accident and fatality data provide by Crime Branch, over speeding is a major cause of road accidents.

Last year, 72% road accidents were caused due to over speeding resulting into 73% of total fatalities, implying that strict enforcement of actions are not being taken against violators.

The report also stated that during the period from January to June 2021 a total of 40319 e-challans were issued for over speeding while just 4027 i.e. just 10% DLs were suspended.