Kerala Governor pays fine for speed-limit violation by official car
Kerala Governor P Sathasivam has asked his office to remit the requisite fine for violation of speed-limit by his official vehicle two months ago, exercising a sobering effect on the "high-profile" violators of the traffic rule. Sathasivam ordered remission of the fine despite the fact that he himself was not traveling in the erring vehicle, a Mercedes Benz, said a Raj Bhavan official.
Motor Vehicles Department had sent challan to Raj Bhavan
Raj Bhavan sources said the vehicle was found exceeding the speed-limit on the Vellayambalam-Kowdiar stretch of Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on April 7. As the violation was caught on the camera installed on the stretch, the Motor Vehicles Department had sent the challan to the Raj Bhavan. Without any hesitation, the Governor asked his staff to remit the fine amount of Rs. 400 to the department.
Incident occurred when car had gone for refueling
"The Governor was not in the car when the violation took place. The incident occurred when the car was taken out for refueling. The fine was paid by the secretary to the Governor," a Raj Bhavan official said. Describing the Kerala Governor's gesture as a "very positive" move, state Transport Commissioner K Padmakumar said it would persuade more people to abide by the rules.
Not the first-time such vehicles were found violating rules: Padmakumar
"It is not for the first time that the official vehicles of high profile officials were caught on camera on the Vellayambalam-Kowdiar stretch of the road violating speed-limit," Padmakumar said. He added that vehicles of judges, police officers, and high-ranking officials were also found exceeding the speed limit. "We have served challan to them also. They too have remitted the fine," he said.
Vellayambalam-Kowdiar stretch, busiest road in Thiruvananthapuram
The Vellayambalam-Kowdiar stretch, where the Governor's official residence Raj Bhavan is located, is one of the busiest roads in Thiruvananthapuram.
2,000-3,000 cases for speed limit violation registered everyday
The Motor Vehicles Department had installed high-resolution cameras in March last in the wake of increasing cases of rash driving and accidents in the area. "At least two to three thousand cases of speed limit violations are registered on the stretch every day. The department receives a monthly revenue of Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs. 1.9 crore," Padmakumar said.
