After taking a strong exception to drunk driving, jaywalking and commuters riding without helmets, the Mumbai Police traffic department will now take action against cabs that carry load beyond the permissible limit.

According to Harish Baijal, deputy commissioner of police, on Tuesday morning around 66 taxi drivers were told to submit their permits after they were caught carrying cargo beyond the permissible limit.22 were booked on Wednesday. He said that the move has been taken enhance road safety.

Initially, the drive will keep a check on cabs that carry routine load like vegetables and fruits. “The permit issuing agency will decide on the tenure for which the permits will remain suspended,” added Baijal.

Joint Commissioner of police (Traffic), Sanjay Barve, also talked of car pools. “Imagine, a car takes six meters on the road. If we have around 2,000 cars under car pooling, imagine the traffic that we will reduce.” The system will be implemented in six months and the department is coordinating with the owners who have volunteered for the project. “We are also trying to introduce incentives for car owners so that more join the network,” added Barve.

He also clarified that there will be no ban on playing music in vehicles. “We are only going to take action against those persons who will play loud music to a point that it creates a nuisance or discomfort in public. The traffic department has no plans to go against music. We serve the road and we don't have any business stopping radio or any medium that helps us by giving information to the driver.” The traffic department will also offer an SMS service whereby commuters can get updates on the traffic situation across the city by subscribing to a free SMS service at 567678.

Meanwhile, in another development, the Andheri Metropolitan magistrate court has upheld the pleas made by the traffic department and enhanced the punishment awarded to a person caught driving in an inebriated state.

URL: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Traffic-police-crack-down-on-overloaded-cabs/354409/