Dont cancel suspend licenses-LEDPTOI-14nov2008

CITY MAILBOX
MY TIMES, MY VOICE
Don’t cancel, suspend licences This is with reference to the report ‘Cause road death and lose licence’ (Nov.12). The government should not only be fair but must also appear to be fair. It is the height of unfairness to penalize a hapless owner of a motor vehicle for traffic and driving violations if the driver cannot be caught red-handed. Spending Rs 5 crore on creating a database of offenders and owners so that they can be penalized by taking away licences or otherwise is a wasteful expenditure. Instead, it can be better used to enforce rules like nabbing underage and unlicenced drivers. Serious offences should be rigorously punished under existing laws. There is no need to undertake exercises which are bound to be rejected upon legal scrutiny. Suspension of licences for a long period of time for repeat offenders accomplishes better compliance and greater respect for the law immediately. In the long run, it sends a stern message. M B Nataraj, VIA E-MAIL