In the wake of the new amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act that will lead to traffic offenders slapped with heavy fines, Srinath Ramamurthy, Head – Strategy, Marketing and Technology, Mahindra First Choice Services, feels that this is the right solution to knock some traffic sense in Indians
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill – 2019 can be considered as a major milestone in terms of vehicle and traffic rules and regulations. The bill is sure to bring about a change in the way Indian people drive their vehicles and make them safe. With the limited network of roads, road safety has been the biggest concern and there has been a constant increase in the number of vehicles road fatalities. In order to curb this issue, the Motor Vehicles Act that tightens the law is the need of the hour.
Road accidents in India killed approximately 1.5 lakh people every year between 2015 and 2017. Among vehicle categories involved in road accidents, two-wheelers accounted for the highest share (33.9%) in total accidents and fatalities (29.8%) in 2017. Light vehicles comprising cars, jeeps and taxis as a category constituted 24.5% in total accidents and 21.1% in total fatalities.
If you are caught violating traffic norms, now you will have to shell out heavy fine and face arrest in some cases.
Below are some fine prints of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill – 2019:
- Using hand-held phone or jumping traffic light would attract a penalty of Rs. 5,000 and a jail term of up to one year.
- Making unauthorised use of vehicles without licence will have to pay a penalty of Rs. 5,000.
- Driving without licence will cost you Rs. 5,000.
- Driving despite disqualification will now cost violators Rs. 10,000. Under the previous provision, violators were fined Rs. 500.
- Over-speeding vehicles will be fined Rs. 1,000 for LMV and Rs. 2,000 for medium passenger vehicle – the previous penalty amounted to Rs. 400.
- Drinking and driving may cost you a fine of up to Rs. 10,000.
- Penalty for use of a vehicle without permit has been proposed at Rs. 10,000.
- Overloading of passengers will attract a penalty of Rs. 1,000 per extra passenger.
- Wearing a seat belt is mandatory and if someone is caught violating the rule he or she will have to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000.
- Over-loading of two-wheelers would attract a penalty of Rs. 2,000. It could also lead to suspension of the license for three months.
- Riders without helmet will have to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000. Their licence may be disqualified for three months.
Overall the new Amended Motor Vehicles Act Bill is beneficial for people and their safety. Now drivers will tend to be more careful and will take traffic rules more seriously. It will also reduce the damage done to vehicles because of irresponsible driving. Overall, it is a win-win situation for vehicle owners.