New Rule From RTO in Mangalore: Fine For Chewing Pan Masala, Zarda While Driving

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) of the city has come up with a new rule where they will slap a fine on drivers if they are found chewing tobacco-based products while driving. The new rule has been introduced after the recent incident where the RTO officials asked a truck driver to show the documents during the checking, the driver had mouth full of gutka and could not speak to the officials properly. The checking inspector, who got infuriated because of this, slapped a fine on him.

Ramesh Vernekar, an RTO officer said that there is a rule to slap a fine of Rs 3,000 if one drives after consuming alcohol, but now even gutka or pan masala will be considered as a narcotic and fine will be slapped, if people are found to have consumed them while driving. Vernekar says that it is not possible to book a case and produce the person in court as they have to produce the sample of the driver’s spit. So they levy a spot fine and close the case.