Speed Governors Manufacturers and Distributors Association president Ranga Rao on Thursday said more than 90% of the vehicles in the State were plying with ‘improper and unauthorised’ speed control devices which might result in accidents.
He told media persons that despite several representations to the Transport Commissioner, gadgets were being used without the specified quality checks by the ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology) and the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). “Some companies produce just half-a-dozen approved gadgets which are used by the authorities to fix in all the vehicles without looking into feasibility. As per the directive of the Supreme Court and the Central government, only gadgets approved by the ICAT and ARAI are to be used.”
He said he was not finding fault with the companies but the certifying authorities had to verify whether the gadgets were suitable to the vehicles or not.
Mr. Rao said as per the directive of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Transport, all the vehicles with more than three tonnes weight and carry more than seven passengers as registered taxis should be fixed with a speed governor before April 30. He said it was sad that public safety was being compromised to help some unscrupulous companies which were keen on making profits. “These speed controls are poor in quality hence low priced. They will not gauge the speed accurately and often become a cause of accidents.” He cited an example in Madhya Pradesh where a school bus met with an accident and the authorities figured out that improper fitting of the speed governor was the reason.
Mr. Rao said 13 companies producing more than 500 approved speed control variants, had formed into an association to protect the rights of the genuine companies and also make the roads safe.
