KOCHI: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has registered 382 cases against private buses in Ernakulam district during a special enforcement drive targeting traffic and safety violations. Fines totalling Rs 2,41,344 were imposed during the inspection conducted on Wednesday.
The crackdown followed public complaints about reckless driving and competitive racing by private buses, along with directions from the Kerala High Court. Five enforcement squads inspected buses across Aluva, Kalamassery, Kakkanad, Tripunithura, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.
The inspection found several violations involving passenger safety and vehicle regulations. As many as 89 cases were registered against conductors without valid licences, while 55 cases involved buses operating with their doors open.
The department also registered 31 cases each for missing or non-functional Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) or GPS systems and the absence of mandatory fire safety equipment.
Twenty-eight buses were found operating without functional speed governors or with the devices removed or disconnected. The MVD directed these operators to suspend services until the systems are restored and the vehicles are presented for inspection.
Other violations included 14 cases of drivers using mobile phones while driving and nine cases of overspeeding. Seven cases were registered against drivers without valid driving licences.
The drive also found 17 cases of trip cutting, in which buses allegedly race or overtake competing services to secure passengers. Another 14 cases involved picking up or dropping passengers outside designated stops.
The MVD registered 12 cases against buses operating without valid permits and two for operating without insurance. Officials also booked vehicles for using air horns and unauthorised lights, as well as for other violations of motor vehicle regulations.
The department said the enforcement drive was aimed at ensuring passenger safety and preventing dangerous competition on the roads. It also said complaints about reckless driving and unsafe conditions in private buses would be taken seriously.
(With inputs from media reports)