MUMBAI, December 17:Warning: Your licence is precious. Don't jump signals.The Motor Vehicles Department is moving a proposal before the government to cancel licences of traffic offenders for small mistakes like jumping signals and wrong overtaking.``It is essential to introduce such rules under the Motor Vehicles Act to ensure safety of pedestrians and minimise vehicular accidents,'' Transport Commissioner C D Singh said. The commissioner said an analysis of road accident figures in the state, particularly in Mumbai, has revealed that a majority of accidents occur due to casual approach of motorists towards traffic signals and careless overtaking.He said with over 9,000 persons dying and another 49,000 suffering serious injuries every year in over 73,000 road accidents, the Motor Vehicles Department cannot be a mute spectator. Though the USA and Japan lead in the number of accidents, India tops the charts as far as fatal mishaps are concerned.``If an individual does not have any regard for traffic signals and road signs, it is essential to revoke his driving licence. In such cases, the department is empowered to hold a fresh driving test.'' Singh pointed out. To carefully monitor the record of motorists, the Motor Vehicles Department will ask the city police to enter the offences committed by a driver in his licence which will be taken into account at the time of renewal of his licence, Singh added.Singh said the department will also book overloaded vehicles as these contribute to a very large extent to accident figures. It's now being proposed that besides imposing a heavy fine, overloaded vehicles will not be allowed to proceed further ``unless the goods in the vehicle are removed to meet the conditions laid down under the Motor Vehicle Act.''Referring to the exponential growth in the number of vehicles in the city, Singh said his department is studying the Singapore model in this connection.In Singapore, Singh said vehicles with odd registration numbers are not permitted on the roads on even dates, while even number vehicles are not allowed on odd dates.``It has helped the administration there considerably. However, if we propose to introduce a similar model in Mumbai, it will have to be done very carefully,'' Singh remarked. ``Out of the 45 lakh vehicles in Maharashtra, more than eight lakh are in Mumbai and if we implement the Singapore model, it will help ease traffic congestion,'' he said. When asked if it was legally possible to impose such restrictions, Singh said under the Motor Vehicles Act, the department was empowered to make such rules for the safety of people.Singapore administration has prohibited entry of all vehicles in certain areas. ``If one wants to enter the specified area with his vehicle, he has to pay an entry fee,'' he said.
