Commissioner of Police, Kevithuto Sophie launching the Autorickshaw Identification Display Card System at the CP office complex in Dimapur on December 16. (Inset) The Autorickshaw Identification Display Card bearing the driver, vehicle and other details.
Dimapur Police Commissionerate working on app based driver safety system
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 16
Beginning March 2024, it will be mandatory for commercial passenger autorickshaws to display photo identity cards prominently on the vehicle. Labelled the ‘Autorickshaw Identification Display Card,’ it is an initiative of the Dimapur Police Commissionerate and will cover passenger autorickshaws plying in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland.
The display cards will be in addition to the Identity Card (ID) issued by the autorickshaw drivers’ union. It will bear the driver’s photo with name, driving licence number, ID number issued by the drivers’ union, a unique identification code and helpline numbers.
Commissioner of Police, Kevithuto Sophie launched the scheme at a programme held at the CP’s office on December 16. He said that the scheme is not to inconvenience the drivers but to streamline the operation of autorickshaws, while alleviating traffic congestion and importantly, securing the safety of the drivers and passengers.
Only autorickshaws with the requisite and up to date documentation will get the display card implying those without the card will not be able to ply.
“After all documents have been verified, a photo identity display card containing the important details of the autorickshaw and contact numbers of Traffic Controls/Police Control Room, would be issued; which would be pasted on the windshield and at the rear for the convenience of the passengers,” stated a media handout. It added that the initiative has the approval of the Regional Transport Authority.
The CP informed that the last date for completing the verification process will be February 29, 2024. He urged the drivers with incomplete documentations to start completing the process with the Transport office, while adding that the CP’s office is ready to assist the drivers in this regard.
The display cards will be valid for a period of two years after which they need to be renewed. All records will be digitally maintained and regularly updated at the office of the DCP, Traffic, Dimapur.
The CP further revealed that a mobile application based driver safety system is on the works. He said that it is conceptualised to work as a distress signal that the drivers can employ to alert the police in the event of a threat to their safety.
Road safety initiatives
The media handout informed that a number of road safety programmes were undertaken by the Dimapur Traffic Police in 2023. It included the installation of solar powered ‘Traffic Blinkers’ in 13 locations deemed accident prone ‘black spots.’ After the blinkers were installed in September at various vulnerable spots along the 4-lane (NH 29) starting from Chümoukedima till the Indisen village junction, there has reportedly been “zero accident.”
It added that road safety awareness programmes were conducted in 22 schools and colleges, new traffic islands installed at the Purana Bazar, airport and Zion Hospital junctions and 8 traffic assistance booths installed/renovated.
The CP claimed that a portion of the fines collected by the Traffic police goes towards implementing road safety initiatives. He did not disclose the amount, only stating that half of the total collected is submitted to the government Treasury.
Further, incidence of road accidents in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland has reportedly dropped by 55 percent in 2023 from January till date compared to 2022.
