UP Driver Fined Rs 6500 For Taking 15 Passengers In His Auto – News18

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 11:16 IST

This peculiar incident occurred on Tirwa Road, near Pal Crossing in the Sadar area.

A startling video from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, has captured the attention of social media users, leaving them in disbelief. The footage shows an autorickshaw, dangerously overcrowded, carrying far more passengers than its intended capacity. While most might think squeezing five to seven people into a four-seater auto is excessive, this particular vehicle astonishingly accommodated 15 individuals, including the driver. The jaw-dropping video reveals a cramped scene with three passengers perched on the driver’s seat and 11 more packed tightly in the rear section. This peculiar incident occurred on Tirwa Road, near Pal Crossing in the Sadar area. The situation came to light during a routine traffic check conducted by traffic in-charge Afaq Khan near Pal Chowk, targeting vehicles that violated safety norms. From a distance, the autorickshaw appeared to be carrying a normal load of passengers, but as the officer stopped the vehicle and began counting its occupants, the sheer number left him astounded.

Standard autorickshaws are designed to carry three passengers in the rear seat and one driver. However, this driver flouted all safety guidelines, overloading his vehicle with five times the permissible number of passengers. The viral video also captures the auto driver pleading for leniency, hands folded, as he apologised profusely to the traffic police.

Traffic in-charge Afaq Khan, known for his composed demeanour, managed the situation calmly and without resorting to aggression. He sternly warned the driver about the dangers of such reckless behaviour, which endangered not only the passengers’ lives but also other road users. Along with the warning, Khan imposed a significant fine of Rs 6,500, citing violations such as overloading and the driver’s failure to produce a valid licence during the inspection.

In his official statement, Afaq Khan reiterated the traffic department’s commitment to enforcing safety regulations. He emphasised that the autorickshaw driver had been firmly cautioned against repeating such actions and warned that stricter penalties would follow if similar violations occurred in the future.

This incident highlights the critical importance of adhering to traffic rules and prioritising public safety. Overcrowding vehicles not only risks passengers’ lives but also compromises the safety of others on the road. The authorities’ swift response serves as a reminder of the consequences of ignoring traffic laws.