Cops start arresting bus drivers for rash driving to make city roads safer
Times of India | 12 June 2025
Kolkata: The Kolkata Traffic Police will now arrest bus drivers if they drive dangerously, in addition to imposing steep fines and recommending the temporary suspension of licences. According to the police, dangerous driving will include zigzag overtakes, jumping red signals, or driving well above the maximum speed limit. Even not allowing passengers to get on or off at the designated bus stop will amount to dangerous driving. The driver will be charged under BNS 281, pertaining to rash or negligent driving or riding on a public way. Although a similar drive began in 2021, it was discontinued following protests from bus operators. The first such case was registered at the Entally police station on Monday after the driver failed to stop at the designated bus stop. "It was around 8:45 am on Monday at the CIT Road-Ananda Palit Road crossing that I found a bus moving from north to south did not stop at the Paddapukur Island bus stop. The driver, Laxmi Kant Shaw, was arrested," the arrest memo stated. Senior officers are likely to meet over this issue since commissioner Manoj Verma has asked his officers at the monthly crime conference to take effective measures to keep the number of accidents at a minimum. Sources in the traffic police, however, said that a quick-fix solution will not be possible, but spot action will make drivers responsible. "Commercial vehicle drivers pass all fines to owners. That does not serve the purpose," said an officer. According to the police, if speeding can be curbed amongst commercial vehicle drivers, the wrong notion of blaming each accident on them will stop. "Accidents do not always happen due to negligence on the driver's part, and they often get blamed for no fault of theirs. The fact remains that pedestrians and passengers too come near the front left corner of the bus, which is traditionally a blind spot for the drivers. Additionally, on several occasions, resoled tyres and the condition of roads contribute to accidents. But by making spot arrests, we can at least send the message and make our intentions of making the roads safer clear to the citizens," said an officer.