'No fines on kids under 12 as third passenger'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the time being, no fine will be imposed on two-wheeler drivers riding with children aged below 12 years as the third person, said transport minister Antony Raju on Wednesday. The state has written to the Centre for exemption and till the response comes, fine will not be imposed, he added.
The imposition of fines for traffic offences under the Safe Kerala project will commence from June 5. However, for the time being, it has been decided not to impose fines on those riding with children aged below 12 years on two-wheelers.
"There is a popular demand from the people that children below 12 of years of age should be allowed to ride with their parents on two-wheelers. Realising the popular sentiments, the state government has written to the Centre seeking an exemption in the motor vehicles rule," said the transport minister.
Since the state has sought exemption in this from the Centre, "until their response is received, we have decided not to collect the fine", he added.
Following a public outcry against the proposed fine for two-wheelers carrying children, a letter was sent by the transport commissioner to the secretary of ministry of road transport and highways seeking a relaxation in this. However, the Centre is yet to respond to this letter.
There has been persistent demand to exempt two-wheelers with three riders from being penalized, especially with the third rider being a child. The fine fixed was Rs 2,000. The new rule was supposed to come into effect with the installation of the 726 AI cameras under the Safe Kerala project.
Even though the state government had earlier decided to impose the fines for the traffic offences under the new surveillance cameras from May 20, it was later decided to commence imposing fines from June 5.
From May 5, the authorities had started sending warning notices for the traffic offences.