In a move to use automated testing station (ATS) scheme as a way to improve the fitness condition of vehicles and reduce accidents, the Motor Vechicles Department will establish ATS in 11 districts in Kerala. There are already 9 ATS in Kerala which are located in the districts Thiruvananthapuram (2), Kottayam (1), Ernakulam (2), Kozhikode (1), Kannur (2) and Kasaragod (1).

The Government of Kerala is highly concerned about the steep rise in road accidents, injuries and fatalities in recent years. It is the ground reality that road accidents have now become a public issue and the victims are from all sections of the society. Government of Kerala recognizes that the road accidents are caused by multiple factors involving fitness of Vehicles, designing of road, behavior of road users and drivers of motors vehicles. Therefore, road safety demands a holistic approach. In this backdrop, Government of Kerala states its commitment to bring the

Automated Testing Station scheme as an effective tool to improve the fitness condition of the in-use vehicles,according to the tender document issued by the MVD.

The Ministry of Road Motor Vehicles and Highways (MoRTH) added a new chapter in Central Motor Vehicle Rules for Recognition, regulation and

control of automated testing station, procedure for fitness testing of vehicles through automated equipment and automated testing stations and it was enacted as Central Motor Vehicles Rules Chapter XI, Recognition, Regulation and Control of Automated Testing Stations. Provisions have been made in respect of recognition, regulation and control of automated testing station in these rules.

The locations of proposed ATS include Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kasaragod.