Seat belt mandatory for heavy vehicles from November onwards: Minister Antony Raju

Thiruvananthapuram: Transport Minister Antony Raju said that seat belt will be mandatory for drivers and co-passengers in the cabin of heavy vehicles from November onwards. 

Addressing the media after attending a meeting concerning AI cameras, Raju said that revised rules are also applicable to KSRTC buses. 

Meanwhile, the meeting noted that, despite AI cameras swiftly identifying traffic violations, there has been a delay in levying fines from the public. Even though AI cameras identified 62.67 lakh infractions between June 5 and September 30, the online process has been completed so far in 19.53 lakh cases and notices issued in 7.5 lakh cases. 

Despite issuing notices for levying a fine worth Rs 102.80 crores, the government has only received Rs 14.88 crores. In addition, the issuance of notices is still pending for some traffic violations identified in June. In September, AI cameras identified 56 violations involving MP and MLA vehicles. 

If the vehicle owner fails to pay the fine within 30 days of issuing the notice, the case will be handed over to an online court and later to the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court after 60 days.