Cab drivers sore over speed governors

Hyderabad:  Even as the State government is gearing up for implementing the Centre’s directive that all transport and goods vehicles install speed governors (a device which limits the speed of vehicle), the cab drivers feel that this would be an additional financial burden on the drivers, who are already suffering from drop in income due to change in incentive packages of Ola and Uber.

Speaking to The Hans India, Shaik Salauddin, the State President of Telangana Four Wheeler Driver's Association, said the speed governor devices are not available easily in the market for Euro-IV vehicles. If a vehicle has a capacity to run at 100 kmph, speed governor in the vehicle will limit its speed. It may damage the engine before the warranty date. Manufacturers of vehicles do not give warranty if speed governors are implemented in the vehicles. Quoting the States Highway rules, he said the speed limit is 80 kmph. It is 100 kmph in some hi-tech buses. At the same time, the speed limit is restricted to tourist vehicles having the same technology.

Salauddin further said that in Hyderabad drivers care little about traffic rules. Even at the red lights on crossings, people keep moving. Wearing a seat belt or a helmet by the motorists is because of fear of challans and out of compulsion and fear of rule.  “Equipping a cab with a speed governor would cost above Rs 10,000. This would thus be an added financial burden on the drivers, who are already suffering from a drop in income due to changing incentive packages of Ola and Uber,” Salauddin said.

It may be mentioned here that the Central government has fixed maximum limit for school buses has been fixed at 40 km/hour, while vehicles carrying hazardous items can move at 60 km/hour maximum, For dumpers and tankers, the maximum speed limit will be 60 km/hour. For other transport vehicles such as passenger buses, the limit will be 80 km/hour. In Telangana its implementation starts from April 1.