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Kannada license plate numbers on the increase?
Written By s_yajaman - 12 April, 2008
Traffic Bangalore kannada language Citizen Reports CMV Act Transportation Enforcement
I am sure I will get my fair share of brickbats for this one but here goes...
Of late I have seen an increase in the number of vehicles with Kannada number plates. This is illegal per the provision of rule-50, sub-rule-2 and proviso-D of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, which specifically states that letters on vehicle number plate should be in English and numerals in Arabic. The Government of India in a notification (No.SO. 444E dated June 12, 1989) issued under Section-41 (6) of the Motor Vehicle Act , 1988, also made these rules mandatory.
A private vehicle is allowed to move around anywhere in the country and therefore has to have a regn. plate in a script that most people can read quickly in the case of an accident.
Why do people do this? Imagine if a car with a Tamil/Malayalam/Oriya number plate is involved in a hit and run accident. How do we note down the number quickly?
Murali sir had an interesting anecdote. He took a photograph of once such car and showed it to the police. After a few days the police get back and tell him that this belonged to a Qualis and not to the car in the picture.
I think there are better ways to propagate a language than by violating a sensible law.
Srivathsa
COMMENTS
Singapore uses a similar concept to charge vehicles in congestion zones. I am not sure if it is RFID but looks like it is. Here is a wiki article on that.
I would assume that it might not be cost effective for Indian conditions but it might be given the number of vehicles on road. Somebody needs to do a feasibility study.
-Shastri
adiraj_09 - 12 April, 2008 - 17:39
Yes,I agree with you YAJMAN.
There seems to be a utter violation of law by putting up Kannada No Plates.
This does not stand only for private vehicles, but even government vehicles.
This begins from our own BMTC...I have seen many BMTC buses having Kannada No Plates.
I am not against Kannada, but as you mentioned in the above message, it becomes very difficult for anybody to note down the number of the vehicle in an emergency.
Even our traffic police dont seem to be too much bothered because they fear a backlash from pro-kannada groups and even an Elected Government does not dare to implement this rule strictly.
Auto drivers take pride in displaying their Pro-Kannada image by putting up Kannada boards, of-course they are again influenced by pro-kannada groups, why would they want their vehicle do be damaged when there is a riot happening just because they dont have an Kannada no plate...
But again, the probable solution could be a strict implementation of the Rule to get the boards changed to English (Remember some years ago there was big back lash from the public when RTO directed all the number plates of Private vehicles should have a background of white and all Transport vehicles should have a yellow background)
But ultimately, thats Rule was striclty implemented and everybody had to change the numberplate accordingly.
So, this shows that, if Govt or the RTO strong enough in their decision to implement a new rule, it can be done and every body have to follow the rule.
Good Lesson Learnt !!
Thanks
Adi
Solution and revenue and law all - together - with number plates
santsub - 12 April, 2008 - 22:50
I guess Karnataka can be the pioneer here. Can they start standardizing registration plates in Karnataka. THey can design it with a karnataka logo and make it attractive other than printing it all in English and Hindu Arabic Numerals. IF RTOs start selling them then there will be no violations... guess what if some one moves to the state permanently then they have to change the plates to Karnataka plates .. that way everything can be formalized.
I agree with theposts I have seen some oriya plates and tamil plates too in blore... its time to clean up...
ssheragu - 13 April, 2008 - 08:42
navshot - 18 April, 2008 - 17:16
S_yajaman, you described my feelings exactly, perfect! We can agree to disagree with others, no harm in it. TS, thanks for guiding the discussion back on track.
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