Thiruvananthapuram: In Kerala, drivers who repeatedly violate traffic rules may face severe consequences, including the cancellation of their licenses. The state’s Transport Department has proposed a policy where a license could be suspended for a year after six violations. If approved, this measure will mark a significant step toward stricter road discipline.
The introduction of digital licenses is expected to facilitate the implementation of this system. Transport officials have emphasized that this proposal is still in the preliminary discussion phase.
A two-year probation period is also proposed for new license holders. Probationary drivers will be required to display special stickers on their vehicles, indicating their level of driving experience. In the first year, drivers would use a ‘P-1’ sticker, followed by a ‘P-2’ sticker in the second year. The aim is to alert other drivers and encourage safer road behavior. However, probationary drivers may lose their licenses if they commit ten violations during this period, although warnings will precede such actions to allow for a learning curve.
The majority of road accidents in Kerala are attributed to inattentiveness and poor discipline among drivers. Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar stated that these measures are designed to enhance road safety and instill disciplined driving habits.
Furthermore, residents from border districts are increasingly opting to acquire licenses from Tamil Nadu due to Kerala’s stricter regulations. The Kerala government has requested Tamil Nadu to conduct more rigorous inspections to address this issue.
