Mangaluru: Police to file cases under BNS for traffic violations by city bus drivers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 27, 2025: To make city bus drivers fall in line with traffic rules, the Mangaluru City police henceforth will begin registering FIRs against traffic violations under Section 281 (reckless driving) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal said on Wednesday. So far, they were only imposing penalties for traffic violations.

Expressing concern over the rise in traffic violations by private city buses, Mr. Agrawal said in a statement that after registering the FIRs, the police will refer them to the court.

Mr. Agrawal said that despite enlightening city bus drivers and conductors to follow traffic rules, violations continue to rise. As many as 1,527 violations were reported in Mangaluru so far this year. In the drive held a week ago, a total of 489 traffic violations were reported.

Breakdown of cases

Of 1,527 cases of violations, 643 were related to carrying excess passengers. There are 316 cases pertaining to obstructing traffic and 163 cases belonged to shrill horn use.

The Police Commissioner said 138 cases were related to footboard travelling. In the remaining cases, 68 were related to not issuing tickets, 65 for violating lane discipline, 30 for reckless driving, 25 each for ‘no stop pickup’ and ‘not wearing uniform’, 18 for traffic signal jumping, seven for high beam light use and five for operating without/defective number plate.

“The new initiative is to warn city bus drivers of the consequences they will face if they continue to violate traffic rules,” Mr. Agrawal said. The Commissioner said he wanted private city bus drivers to follow traffic rules and lane discipline on city bus routes. The city police are yet to look into into similar violations by KSRTC bus drivers, he added.  

Bus association’s response

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners’ Association president Aziz Parthipady said that narrow city roads, irrational cutting of roads for water and other works, increase in number of two-wheelers pose great challenges for city bus drivers in the city. The association is holding regular awareness programmes and drives to make drivers and conductors to follow traffic rules.

 “We will abide by the rules and follow the suggestions of police and district administration. Though we are surprised with the statement of Mr. Agrawal, we will not opt for confrontation, but will abide by directions of officials for safety of people,” Mr. Parthipady said.