Wrong-Side Driving: 69 Vehicles Seized In Bhubaneswar, Police Commissioner Defends Cops Action

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha capital saw 69 vehicles being seized for wrong-side driving on Thursday.

The Commissionerate Police has formed nine special teams to check this offence and ensure strict enforcement of traffic rules.

Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi has also issued a statement clarifying the powers of the police relating to seizure and arrests under the Motor Vehicle Act.

This assumes significance against the backdrop of a viral video, in which a woman was seen pleading with cops, who snatched keys of her two-wheeler for driving on the wrong-side.

The statement referred to Section 207 in The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which gives power to any police officer to seize and detain vehicles for violations under Section 3 (not having valid DL), Section 4 (underage). Section 39 (without registration) or Section 66(i) (plying of transport vehicle without permit).

Police can also arrest driver without warrant under Section 202 of the MV Act for violations under section 184 (dangerous driving), under section 185 (drunken driving) and under section 197 MV Act (taking vehicle without consent of the owner), it further said.

Driving against the normal flow of traffic is dangerous driving, it said.

An uninsured vehicle can be detained till it is insured as per guidelines of the Supreme Court. Vehicles involved in criminal cases can be seized under Sections 100, 102 and 165 of the CPC.

Vehicles left unattended or abandoned at public places can be towed away under Section 126 and 127 of the MV Act, the statement read.

Police are also authorized under Section 206 of the MV Act to impound driving licence for any violation under the MV Act, it added.