With the increasing number of accidents on the roads due to negligent driving, the Central Government has passed a bill, which will enable the authorities to heavily fine any traffic violators.
The Centre had brought this bill in August 2016 to amend the Motor Vehicle Act, the bill was then forwarded to the standing committee and then a law was passed in April 2017.
The Central government has increased the fines 10 times more to the traffic violators and has kept provision for the state government to increase these fines even more.
Some of the changes made were:
“Riding unauthorised vehicle without licence”- Old fine was Rs 1000, the new fine will be Rs 5000
“Riding vehicle without licence”- Old fine was Rs 500, the new fine will be Rs 5000
“Over speeding”- Old fine was Rs 400, the new fine will be Rs 1000- Rs 2000
“Rash driving”- Old fine was Rs 1000, the new fine will be upto Rs 5000
“Drunken driving”- Old fine was Rs 2000, the new fine will be Rs 10000
“Driving without seat belt”- Old fine was Rs 100, the new fine will be Rs 1000
“Riding an overloaded 2 wheeler”- Old fine was Rs 100, the new fine will be Rs 2000 including three months suspension of licence.
“Riding without helmet”- Old fine was Rs 100, the new fine will be Rs 1000 and three months suspension of licence.
“Overloading”- Old fine was Rs 2000 + Rs 1000 fine on every extra tonne, the new fine will be Rs 20000 + Rs 2000 on every extra tonne.
“Driving with a suspended licence”- Old fine was Rs 500, the new fine will be rs 10000
Under the new changes made in the Motor Vehicle Act, an offence will be registered against parents or the owner who lend their vehicle to a minor.
Some of the new offences introduced to the act are- ‘Not giving way to an emergency vehicle’ for which the fine will be Rs 10000.
If a minor violates any of the above MV act law – parent/owner will be fined Rs 25000 along with 3 months in jail and cancellation of registration of their vehicle.
If a minor is involved in a fatal accident- the parent will serve 3 years in jail.
If an officer who is responsible to enforce the law is caught breaking it- then fine will be doubled.
“After the implementation of these new laws, the number of accidents on Goan roads will be reduced by 90 percent,” said Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.
Team TNV
