Karwar: The Uttara Kannada district administration has issued a press release highlighting widespread violations of traffic rules across major junctions, highway intersections, and main roads in Kumta town. These violations include wrong-side driving, riding two-wheelers without helmets, failure to wear seat belts in four-wheelers, illegal parking, and road encroachments by shopkeepers.

Citing risks to public safety, Assistant Commissioner (AC) P. Shravan Kumar has directed authorities to strictly enforce traffic regulations throughout the taluk.

According to the press release, ISI-certified helmets are now mandatory for all two-wheeler riders, including pillion riders aged above four years, and the police department will ensure strict compliance.

▪️ Fuel stations across the taluk have been instructed not to supply fuel to any two-wheeler without a helmet or to any four-wheeler without a seat belt. Petrol pumps must also display a board stating: “NO HELMET / NO SEATBELT, NO FUEL.”

The administration further stated that illegal sheds, petty shops, pushcarts, and roadside stalls along the National Highway will be removed immediately, and no such structures will be permitted in the future. Officials of NHAI and IRB have been directed to ensure effective implementation.

Additionally, bike rental operators must provide two helmets to every customer, the press note added.

▪️ In cases where minors below 18 years are found riding vehicles, the vehicle owner as well as the principal of the concerned school or college will be held responsible.

The press release also states that any objections to these directives may be submitted in writing to the office of the Kumta Assistant Commissioner within seven days. If no objections are received within the stipulated period, the order will come into force.