With the onset of the sugarcane harvesting and transportation season, the Belagavi district police have announced strict measures to curb the rising number of road accidents. According to official data, the district records more than 800 road accidents annually, resulting in over 800 fatalities.
To address the surge in preventable accidents during this period, the police have issued specific guidelines for motorists and enforcement officers. These include a ban on parking sugarcane-loaded vehicles on roads and highways, mandatory use of brake lights and indicators, and the requirement to affix reflective and luminous stickers or flags on the rear of sugarcane trucks and tractors, whether loaded or empty. The enforcement of the ban on drunk driving will also be intensified.
Drivers have been instructed to strictly comply with these rules. Police officers have been directed to register cases of drunk driving under attempt to murder provisions, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan stated in an official release. The police will adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards rash and negligent driving.
Under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, dangerous driving is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to ₹1,000, or both, for a first offence. Repeat offenders may face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to ₹10,000, or both.
As per Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023, negligent and irresponsible driving can attract imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to ₹1,000, or both.
In line with court directives, action is also being taken against vehicles emitting high-decibel noise. Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act prescribes punishment of up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹10,000, or both, for violations related to road safety, noise, or air pollution.
The Environment Protection Act, 1986, under Rule 15, allows for imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, prohibit the use of loudspeakers or public address systems without prior permission, while Rule 8 empowers authorities to act to prevent public nuisance.
Under Section 36 of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, police are authorised to regulate or stop excessive noise causing public inconvenience.
Transport of hazardous materials in violation of norms is prohibited. Section 190(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act states that for a first offence, violators may be fined ₹10,000 and disqualified from holding a driving licence for three months, or face imprisonment of up to one year, or both. Subsequent offences may attract a fine of ₹20,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
Strict legal action will be initiated against those found violating the rules, the Superintendent of Police warned.
