Mini Cooper accident: Will Suhail ever be able to drive again?

KOCHI: The police have invoked stringent charges against Suhail, the first accused in the Mini Cooper accident case. According to the remand report, Suhail drove the vehicle knowing that his actions could endanger human life. He had told the police that he was driving at a speed of over 120 kmph when the accident occurred.

The car manufacturer has begun examining the vehicle to determine its speed at the time of the accident. The first phase of the inspection has been completed. Further examinations will be conducted with the permission of the court. The tests are expected to establish how fast the car was travelling at the time of the accident. The findings will be documented and submitted to the authorities.

Experts say that, based on the details emerging so far, Suhail is likely to lose his driving licence. The Motor Vehicles Department will take a decision based on the reports submitted by the police. The first step towards cancelling a driving licence is to issue a show-cause notice, giving the licence holder an opportunity to explain why action should not be taken against him. If the explanation is not satisfactory, the Motor Vehicles Department can proceed with stricter action.

If the RTO cancels the licence, the licence holder can appeal to the Transport Commissioner within 30 days. If the appeal is also rejected, the person can approach the court. There have been instances in which licences cancelled by the authorities were later restored following court intervention. The licence will be restored in accordance with the court's directions.

A driving licence can be suspended for a first offence if a person is found to have driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs, knowing that it could endanger human life. In case of repeated offences, the licence can be cancelled. In Suhail's case, further action will depend on the blood test report and the seriousness of the offence.

Repeated violations, including overspeeding, dangerous driving and fleeing the scene after an accident, can also lead to licence cancellation.