Srinagar, Nov 25: To enhance road safety, the Traffic Police Kashmir has issued regulations targeting bike riders and the growing use of distracting LCD screens in vehicles.
As part of this initiative, traffic police plan to enforce stricter helmet rules for both riders and pillion riders while also addressing concerns over LCD screens that are increasingly being installed by drivers, particularly for entertainment or navigation purposes.
This move comes after a tragic incident in Tengpora, where two minors lost their lives and another sustained critical injuries in a road accident. This incident raised serious concerns about road safety, especially among young drivers and riders. In response, the Traffic Police has implemented stringent measures to curb these issues and protect public safety.
Under the new enforcement plan, both the rider and the pillion rider of two-wheelers will be required to wear helmets at all times. This measure is aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries from road accidents, which have become a growing concern in the region.
The Traffic Police has also expressed its intention to crack down on the use of LCD screens that could distract drivers, particularly during night driving. While LCD screens are legal for passenger use in private vehicles, displaying content visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion is strictly prohibited under Indian road safety laws. The Traffic Police will be closely monitoring such violations to ensure that drivers remain focused on the road at all times.
Muzaffar Shah, SSP Traffic Police City Srinagar, shared with Rising Kashmir that the initiative has already shown positive results. “Since the drive began, we have barely found any minors driving vehicles, whether two-wheelers or four-wheelers. This has been a significant achievement, and we are committed to maintaining this progress,” Shah said.
The ongoing crackdown has seen hundreds of vehicles being seized for violations, including those driven by minors or without proper documentation.
Furthermore, the Traffic Police has initiated awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to educate students about the dangers of underage driving and the importance of wearing helmets, Shah added.
Public response to these measures has been largely positive. Residents of Srinagar and elsewhere have reported a noticeable reduction in traffic congestion, particularly around areas like Jahangir Chowk, which was previously notorious for frequent traffic jams. One shopkeeper noted, “The traffic has eased up significantly, and we hardly see any vehicles driven by minors now.”
