Bengaluru Police Crack Down On Errant Auto Drivers, 151 Cases Filed

It is not uncommon for auto drivers in Bengaluru and surrounding regions to behave inappropriately with their passengers.

Often passengers complain about auto drivers for arrogant behaviour, seeking excess fares, rash driving and not using their metres.

Following complaints about the rash behaviour of auto-rickshaw drivers, the Bengaluru police launched a drive and a total of 151 cases were registered under the Indian Motor Vehicles (IMV) Act.

The west division traffic police launched a crackdown on those stationed outside the KSR Bengaluru (city) railway station, Majestic bus terminal, and Satellite Bus Terminal on Mysuru Road.

Of the total 151 cases, 90 cases were registered against drivers who were not wearing their uniforms, 18 cases were registered for refusal to go on hire, and 43 cases were filed for other violations, including wrong-side driving and stopping in a manner that impedes traffic flow.

If you also notice such unruly behaviour, you can also reach out to the police. "Please call the helpline number 080-22868550.228684444 to complain against the rickshaw drivers - who demand excess fare, misbehave or also refuse you the trip", the Bengaluru police tweeted.

Duties and Responsibilities of autorickshaw drivers

Under Rule 13 (U) and Rule 16 of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Act read with Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, there are a number of rules that auto drivers need to follow. Here are some of the rules.

• The driver shall behave in a civil and orderly manner with passengers, intending passengers, consignors and consignees of goods
• The driver shall not demand or extract any fare or freight in excess of that which he is legally entitled to
• The driver shall not loiter or unduly delay upon any journey
• The driver shall not terminate any hiring after it has been engaged and before discharged by the hirer
• The driver shall not demand or extract any fare in excess of that which is legally due
• The driver shall not drive the vehicle or allow it to be engaged for hire, unless he is satisfied that the fare-meter is in good working order
• The driver shall not tamper with or allow any other person to tamper with the seal or the working mechanism of the fare-meter
• The driver shall not without reasonable cause refuse to let the cab for hire when the flag is in a vertical position