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States Can Reduce Traffic Fines If They Want Says Minister Gadkari, Clarifies Centre’s Stand On Higher Fines
Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addresses a press conference in New Delhi. (Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
With several reports of traffic violation fines being charged exceeding the value of the vehicles themselves and subsequent uproar in sections of the media over the huge penalties, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has clarified the centre’s stand on the issue.
The Minister of Road Transport and Highway has said that it is up to the states to decide the amount of fines for the offences. Gadkari further clarified that the high fines were not aimed at increasing revenues but to instil discipline in the riders.
"You have to understand, we have the highest rate of deaths due to traffic accidents in the world," Gadkari said.
Gadkri also said that the with the new rules in place since 1 September people’s awareness of the violations has risen.
Several states like West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh had said that they will not be implementing the new rules, pending a review while other states had appealed the centre to reduce the fines.
Earlier in the day, Gujarat had bought down the fines by as much as 90 per cent while Tamil Nadu too had decided to cut the fines.
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