Follow rules strictly, auto drivers told

Karimnagar: All auto drivers while driving autos must follow traffic rules strictly besides wearing the uniform which is prescribed to them, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), VEK Prasad Rao here on Friday.

He was addressing the an awareness programme for auto drivers on traffic rules and Auto Fair Digital Meter here at Revenue Gardens in Karimnagar.

Attending as a chief guest to the programme, Traffic ACP Prasad Rao said that while driving the autos the auto drivers must be in uniform and should not drive the autos after consuming liquor. Action would be taken against them if they are caught drunk while driving their vehicle. He further added that the auto drivers should not board more number of passengers beyond the seating capacity and must not use sound boxes in the auto.

They should not park the autos everywhere for boarding the passengers except in parking places only they must park the vehicles, he said.

Auto drivers should be cordially with passengers and should not misbehave with them especially with women passengers. The auto drivers who are driving auto during night hours must be alert all the time and if they notice any anti-social activities going on in any area must pass the information immediately to the police.

Lot of complaints are received related to auto charges. During night, some of the auto drivers are collecting more money from the passengers even though the distance is not that much. For fixing uniform auto charges that are running under Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, the ACP created awareness on using of Auto Fair Digital Meter. The Traffic Inspector G Thirumala, Assistant Sub-inspectors Swamy, Naresh, Venkat Rajam and Sagar along with presidents and secretaries of all auto unions and the members of the 'Owners and Drivers Auto Association were present.