Karnataka police chief issues new guidelines for traffic police after toddler's death in Mandya

Bengaluru: Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) M A Saleem on Saturday issued new guidelines to the traffic policemen in the state.

The order by Saleem, who heads the state police force, followed the recent accidental deaths of a child in Mandya and that of a traffic policeman in Davanagere.

In his order, Saleem strictly asked the traffic policemen to stop vehicles only when there are visible violations and not stop for checking the documents without any reason.

The DG&IGP further directed his traffic staff to not use zig-zag barricades on highways and to not stop moving vehicles by interfering suddenly and pulling the pillion rider or taking away the vehicle keys.

In case a violator speeds or attempts to flee, the DG&IGP asked the traffic policemen to not chase them but note down the registration numbers and inform the necessary control rooms. Traffic policemen have been compulsorily asked to wear reflective jackets during checks and use LED batons in the evenings and nights.

"Body worn cameras should be compulsorily worn during physical vehicle inspection," Saleem said.

In zones where traffic management centres of intelligent traffic management systems are established, the DG&IGP advised the policemen to use contactless enforcement. He also directed them to hold periodic awareness programmes for the public regarding rules and regulations.

Traffic policemen have been asked to not stop speeding vehicles on highways and in case of inspection drives, use reflective rubber cones 100 to 150 metres away, so the vehicles have ample time to slow down.

"It is advisable to check vehicles at night and late night in places where signal lamps are present," Saleem said.

He also directed the law and order policemen to try and limit holding nakabandi on highways and to use the help of traffic policemen wherever needed.