Mangaluru: The efforts of Mangaluru City Police to rein in erring private bus drivers go in vain, as the Transport Department does not act immediately upon its recommendation to suspend driving licences and permits, said Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh.

It takes about three months for the transport department to order suspension of the driving licence from the date of recommendation. Thus, the three month-suspension lapses by the time the order is passed, the commissioner said during an interaction with reporters here after the weekly phone-in programme.

In such a situation, it becomes difficult to instil the fear of law among motorists who drive recklessly. The traffic police have regularly been booking cases for rash and negligent driving, jumping signals, halting at non-designated places etc. But the violations continue, he regretted.

One reason for lawlessness among bus crew is majority of owners (permit-holders) have sub-leased buses to the crew, and thus have little control over the operations. The crew, who pay a fixed sum to the permit-holder, operate the bus at their will. It’s illegal to do so, and the transport department has to act, Mr. Suresh said.

Admitting that there have been delays in ordering suspension of DLs and permits, in-charge Senior RTO, Mangaluru, G.S. Hegde said it was because the due process of law as mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act has to be followed.

As per law, the department has to provide reasonable opportunity to the person to defend himself/ herself before action is initiated.

Many a time, notices return without being served, thereby delaying the process. Besides, the RTO is functioning with below half its sanctioned strength, Mr. Hegde said.

If the Transport Commissioner issues a circular empowering RTOs to suspend DLs and permits merely upon police recommendation, the department can act swiftly, he said.

Mr. Hegde said he would take up the issue with higher authorities.