THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Starting from November, it will be mandatory for heavy vehicle drivers and passengers in front seats to wear seat belts, informed Transport Minister Antony Raju. The rule will also be applicable to all KSRTC buses.

In the press conference, the minister said that the vehicles of MPs and MLAs committed traffic violations 56 times in the month of September. He also stated that traffic violations have plummeted after the introduction of AI cameras.

In the last few days, the opposition had raised the allegation citing irregularities and errors in the figures disclosed by the transport minister regarding AI camera fines and the reduction in the number of accidents. The opposition alleged that the document placed in the assembly and the document given to the court were different.

Traffic violations for Rs 102 crore were found and the challan for all this was printed. However, the government received just Rs 14 crore as traffic fines. From June to September 30, a total of 56,67,853 traffic violations were detected. A notice has been issued to all the vehicle owners, asking them to pay a fine for violating the law.

For people who evade paying fines, the case will be transferred to a virtual court and later to an open court, the minister informed.