Kozhikode RTO intensifies vehicle inspections; fines exceed Rs 19 lakh in a day

Kozhikode: Following the accidental death of a youth here on Tuesday, authorities intensified vehicle inspections across the district.

A joint team comprising all nine squads under the Motor Vehicles Department and nine squads from the Kozhikode North Traffic Police conducted an extensive night inspection across areas under the Kozhikode Regional Transport Office, including Kozhikode City, Nanminda, Koduvally, and Feroke.

The inspection began at 7 pm on Tuesday and continued until 3 am the following day. A total of 488 vehicles were booked for rule violations, with many drivers issued show-cause notices ahead of driving licence suspension.

The fines imposed during the six-hour inspection amounted to over Rs 19 lakh, the highest recorded in recent years, according to Regional Transport Officer (RTO) P A Nazeer.

Among the violations, 172 vehicles were booked for using high-beam lights that disturbed other road users, 46 for unauthorised body modifications, and 26 for failure to pay taxes or possess valid fitness certificates or permits.

Additionally, 71 vehicles were booked for carrying excess loads, seven drivers for drink-driving, and 39 for driving without licences.

Another 486 drivers faced action for various other violations. "We are taking strict action against traffic rule violations, particularly stunts, racing, or filming reels on public roads using vehicles," RTO P A Nazeer told Onmanorama.

The inspection was led by Kozhikode RTO P A Nazeer, Enforcement RTO Santhosh Kumar, and the Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) squad, with the traffic police team headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Suresh Babu, coordinated by Sub-Inspectors of Kozhikode North Traffic Police.