Department to keep a tab on licences of cab drivers

According to a press release from the department, around 14,077 people were killed in road accidents this year (up to October), while 17,218 died in 2016 in the state. Long working hours of the drivers were found to be a major factor in the accident. “The tourist taxies and  maxi cabs are also contributing significantly towards road accidents,” the release stated. 

Accordingly, no driver of tourist taxis and maxi cabs should drive more than eight hours in a day and fortyeight hours in a week, with a day’s rest for every seven days of work. Tourist taxi and maxi cab drivers should not be allowed, after completion of first duty, to perform a second consecutive duty. The annual medical checkup and a valid annual personal accident cover is also essential. 

If any of the tourist taxi and maxi cab drivers or operators were found violating any of the legal provisions, action will be taken for suspension of driving licence of such tourist taxi and maxi cab drivers, the release noted.