Attention bike owners: MVD to impose fine if found talking to pillion riders

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One with a helmet can pillion ride a bike, but should not talk to him under any circumstances. If found talking, a fine will be imposed on him. The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has directed to impose fine if the person sitting behind the two-wheeler talks in such a way as to distract the two-wheeler rider.

The new directive is following the report that if the bike rider and the one behind with the helmet are talking, it will distract the rider and lead to an accident. In a circular sent to all RTOs, joint transport commissioner K Manoj Kumar suggested that action can be taken if noticed such a thing. However, the enforcement officers of the Motor Vehicle Department are worried as to how this will be implemented.

The high court had the other day directed that strict action should be taken against officials who illegally use government seals and boards on vehicles. The horn in the vehicles is not meant to hit the ears of the locals. There are vehicles fitted with up to four horns. A division bench led by Justice Anil K Narendran and Harishankar V Menon said vehicles violating law should not be allowed on the road.

Customs, central excise and income tax officials are illegally affixing government seals and boards on vehicles. While in Ernakulam it is the central government officials, in Thiruvananthapuram it is the state government secretaries who are violating the law.

Flash light should be used only in emergency situations even in emergency vehicles. All this creates complications in crowded places like Sabarimala. The court also demanded that there should be a permanent solution to this.