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A file picture of vehicles stuck in a traffic snarl in Dimapur. The government has recently introduced higher penalties for traffic violations across India. (EM Images)[/caption]
New Delhi, Sep. 1 (IANS): Brace up for stringent penalties as the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was cleared by Parliament last month, has comes into effect.
The higher penalties will be applicable throughout India. The goal is to create a fear of law that ensures decrease of traffic violations.
If one is caught driving without a seat belt, it will cost a fine of INR 1,000, which was earlier INR 100. If one is caught driving while using a mobile phone, it will invite a fine of between INR 1,000-5,000. Earlier it was INR 1,000.
Drunken driving earlier used to a invite fine of INR 2,000. Now, it has been hiked to INR 10,000.
In another welcome move, a driver can be fined INR 10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire brigade.
Earlier one had to shell out a meagre INR 500 for driving without a license. Under the new law, that has multiplied to INR 5,000. For those continuing to drive despite disqualification, the fine has been raised from INR 500 to INR 10,000.
Taxi aggregators violating license laws will have to shell out a bomb in the shape of INR 1 lakh.
Over-speeding—a common issue on the road—will now invite a penalty of between INR 1,000-INR 2,000.
For those who drive without insurance, there will be consequences in the form of a fine of INR 2,000; those driving without helmets will have to pay INR 1,000 and may face a three-month suspension of their license.
The government has also said that overloading of vehicles will now draw a penalty of INR 20,000.
Also, the guardian will be held responsible for any road offense by any under-age driver. The guardian will have to pay INR 25,000, as well as undergo three years in jail and the registration will be cancelled.
More penalties will result in fewer accidents, argues Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. Highier penalties will "definitely result in reduction in accidents and it will improve the compliance of traffic rules by vehicle owners," he said.
"It will have great impact on road safety also," he added.
The Delhi government, however, is keen on compromises in case of minor offenses and proposes to hold talks with various stakeholders for this purpose.
Common offences like use of mobiles, jumping traffic lights and driving on the wrong lane will now be categorised as "dangerous driving".
From henceforth, the process of getting a driver's license will become computerised.