Sir,

Kudos to the Mysuru City Police for their recent crackdown on vehicles with faulty number plates, as reported in SOM dated Oct. 4. This move is wholeheartedly appreciated by law-abiding citizens. One can observe a myriad of blatant violations when it comes to the legibility and standards of fonts, sizes and shapes on number plates. Many individuals display the names of their relatives, organisations or former positions within associations on their plates. These details are often intentionally obscured, disfigured or partially covered with stickers.

Even at checkpoints, these violators show a complete disregard for the law by not wearing helmets or carrying any relevant records. They do not slow down when signalled to stop, instead opting to speed away recklessly, endangering everyone on the road, including traffic personnel, themselves and their own livelihoods and families.

This prevalence of faulty or incomplete number plates makes it difficult to identify and track down individuals involved in vehicle loan defaults, chain and mobile phone thefts, extortion, and hit-and-run cases.

Unfortunately, bystanders who wish to assist the Police are often unable to note down the numbers due to these faulty registration plates. Some plates even display unconventional phrases like ‘Boss’ for the registration number ‘8055, making a mockery of the system.

It’s encouraging to note that the authorities have now made it mandatory to install High-Security Registration Plates meeting required standards on all vehicles manufactured before 2009, starting from November. This step, if implemented gradually but consistently, will help relieve the already burdened law enforcement authorities, streamline traffic, maintain law and order, and reduce crime rates.

– Dr. M. Shyam Prasad, Krishnamurthypuram, 6.10.2023

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