Action against out-of-state vehicles violating norms in Kozhikode

A luxury car seized by the police after the Vellail accident in Kozhikode. | Photo Credit: File photo

Joint inspections by the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) and traffic police squads in Kozhikode have been intensified to track luxury vehicles registered in other states and operating here beyond the permitted period.

MVD sources said operating non-Kerala vehicles for more than 11 months without updating the registration certificate would be considered an offense under the existing rules. They added that vehicle owners who fail to secure the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned regional transport authorities are deliberately evading Kerala road tax and registration fees.

“There have been several incidents in the past where luxury car owners were fined heavily for prolonged operation of non-Kerala vehicles. Vehicles registered in Union Territories were often involved in such violations,” said an MVD inspector. He said that the checks were intensified after the Wellail accident.

The traffic police said that serious accidents involving out-of-state vehicles lead to legal problems for the injured or other vehicles. They said many such vehicles lack proper legal records, insurance coverage, pollution control certificates and other ownership documents.

“In a flash inspection conducted last week, MVD and police teams arrested 39 people for driving without a license,” said a member of the district’s road safety enforcement team. He also pointed out that 172 drivers were arrested for misusing high beam lights.

MVD and police sources said flash inspections will continue with the support of nine special enforcement teams, focusing on enforcing speed limits, fitness norms, and carriage capacity rules.