Private Bus Drivers Face Charges for Drunk Driving

Speedy Summary:

• Three private bus drivers in Ernakulam city were booked for driving under the influence of alcohol during a joint inspection by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) enforcement wing and city traffic police.
• The drivers were immediately replaced on duty, and their licenses are set to face suspension after issuing show-cause notices and conducting hearings.
• A total of 18 buses faced bookings for various violations during the drive, which lasted from early morning until afternoon.
• ₹20,000 in fines were collected through 20 cases registered for petty offences; penalties for drunken driving will be decided by the court.
• The operation was initiated following complaints about reckless private bus operations and covered key locations like High Court Junction and Kaloor bus stand.
• Officials who participated included RTO enforcement inspectors R. Chanthu, Arun Sasidharan, Dineesh Kumar, Ajay Mohandas; traffic sub-inspectors V. Santhosh Kumar and P.M. Madhu; as well as civil police officers P.R Azad and P.R Jagesh.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The crackdown on negligent behavior among private bus operators is a positive step toward enhanced road safety in urban areas like Ernakulam city where complaints regarding reckless driving are common. The decision to immediately replace affected drivers reflects operational caution that minimizes disruption while addressing misconduct swiftly. Though, issuing show-cause notices followed by hearings indicates procedural thoroughness rather than arbitrary punitive measures-which is critically important to maintain fairness in regulatory enforcement.

The broader implication lies in ensuring stricter adherence to transport norms across Kerala amidst growing concerns about public safety with private buses becoming increasingly unreliable or hazardous due to recklessness or non-compliance with regulations-a sentiment echoed by ongoing inspections ordered statewide by transport authorities.

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