Police Commissioner Warns Modification Shops: Will Book Owners as Abettors
A lot of modifications made to cars and bikes are illegal in India. These modifications are blamed for causing noise pollution, air pollution, and accidents. Now, in order to reduce the number of vehicles with illegal modifications, Hyderabad Police has taken a new measure. Recently, Hyderabad’s Police Commissioner issued a warning in which he stated that all aftermarket shop owners, mechanics, and others who provide such illegal modifications will be booked as abettors.
Hyderabad Police Warns Car Modifiers
While addressing numerous car decor makers, traders, mechanics, and others, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) P. Viswa Prasad stated that anyone who provides customers with black films beyond permissible limits, sirens, musical and multi-tone horns, modified silencers, and number plates will be booked by the authorities. He added that any other illegal modification sold by such vendors can also lead to legal action against them.
This particular warning was issued during an awareness campaign organized by Hyderabad Traffic Police. The Additional Commissioner of Traffic Police also highlighted that traders must comply with all legal norms while conducting their business. The police official stated that those who are found not complying will be punished with strict penalties and legal action.
It was also added that if any illegal modifications are detected, the traders involved in the sale of such modifications will be treated as abettors. The Police Commissioner further added that it is the job of the traders to educate their customers about the regulations regarding the legality of aftermarket modifications. Lastly, these traders, mechanics, and others have been asked to maintain records of the modifications done on the vehicles.
More than 250 participants attended the awareness campaign organized by Hyderabad Traffic Police. These included owners of car decor shops, automobile shop owners, automobile workshop owners, manufacturers of registration number plates, and mechanics, along with police officials.
Hyderabad Police Has Crushed 1,000 Illegal Silencers
Prior to the awareness campaign, back in April of last year, the police authorities of Hyderabad launched a drive and managed to seize 1,000 illegal silencers. A post showing the crushing of these silencers was shared online. It was stated, “As per the amendment of Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, fitting pressure horns and modified silencers on your bike, causing air and noise pollution, is punishable with a fine of up to Rs. 10,000/- and imprisonment of up to six months.”
Why Are Such Modifications Frowned Upon?
Over the last few years, many car and bike owners have added illegal modifications such as modified silencers, sirens, hooters, and completely black films. Each of these modifications causes different types of issues. Modified silencers, which are one of the most common modifications, cause a lot of noise pollution, and due to this, people on the road get disturbed.
The owners of such vehicles also create a nuisance on the road to grab attention. Apart from these, illegal sirens and flashing police lights are banned because they are added to vehicles to impersonate police authorities. They also cause noise pollution. Lastly, completely dark black films are banned because they make it difficult for police officials and others to look inside the vehicle, where illegal activities may take place.
It is believed that with the help of this awareness campaign, shops and mechanics who sell and install such illegal modifications will get discouraged. Most likely, police authorities from other states will also organize such awareness campaigns to reduce the sale and installation of illegal modifications.