Under The Stringent Provisions Of New Motor Bill, These Are Fines And Penalties For Various Traffic Offences 

The Union Cabinet on Monday (24 June) approved far-reaching changes to the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill that proposes hefty penalties for violation of traffic norms.

The proposals include up to Rs 10,000 fine for not providing way to emergency vehicles, a raise in the penalty for drunk driving by five times to Rs 10,000, a tenfold jump in the penalty for speeding or racing to Rs 5,000.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, which had been passed by the Lok Sabha, was introduced in the Upper House in April 2017 but however was referred to a select panel. After taking into account the panel’s recommendation, the bill was re-introduced in the Rajya Sabha but the debate on the bill remained inconclusive.

The current proposals are based on the recommendations of Transport Ministers from 18 States, which were vetted by the Standing Committee of Parliament.

The proposed amendment also seeks to ensure that people who come forward to help victims of road accident are not harassed. The bill also caps the maximum liability of the third party at Rs 10 lakh in an accident causing death and Rs 5 lakh in an accident causing serious injury.

The amendment also proposes that ride-hailing firms may have to cough up Rs 1 lakh if they violate licencing conditions.

Major provisions of the Bill are as follows-

1. The registration process for new vehicles simpler and Aadhaar mandatory for obtaining driving licence and vehicle registration.
2. The guardian/owner will be deemed to be guilty in case of road offence by juveniles while registration of the vehicle will be cancelled. As per the new amendment, “guardian/owner shall be deemed to be guilty and there will be a penalty of Rs 25,000 with three years imprisonment and cancellation of registration of the Motor Vehicle”.
3. Traffic violations to attract a penalty of Rs 500 in place of Rs 100 earlier, while disobedience of orders of authorities will attract a minimum penalty of Rs 2,000 in place of Rs 500 earlier.
4. Penalty for unauthorised use of vehicles without licence has been proposed at Rs 5,000 while those driving without licence will have to shell out the same amount and those found driving despite disqualification would be fined Rs 10,000.
5. Penalty for dangerous driving would be increased to Rs 5,000 from Rs 1,000, while drunk driving under the proposed new law would attract a fine of Rs 10,000.
6. Overloading of vehicles would attract a penalty of Rs 20,000.
7. Not wearing seat belts would attract Rs 1,000 fine and those found not wearing helmets while driving two-wheelers would be charged a penalty of Rs 1,000 while their licences will be disqualified for three months.