Motor Vehicle Act amended, Rs 5000 fine for drunk driving
TNN
New Delhi, 01 Mar 2012: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposed changes in the Motor Vehicle Act. This paves way for passing the legislation in Parliament to increase penalty on traffic rule violators across the country.
The new bill which will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha duing the Budget session has provision to slap Rs 500 fine for not wearing seat belt and helmet or for jumping a red light for the first time. The bill introduces fines for using mobile phone while driving.
The fines will multiply in case the same offender violates the traffic rules subsequently.
As per the new provision drunk driving would be dealt with high penality and even jail term. Drunk driving will be graded according to alcohol levels in the blood with a punishment that can go up to a two-year jail term and Rs 5,000 fine or both.
Repeat traffic offences will fetch stiff fines with jumping red lights or not using seat belts and helmets attracting fine between Rs 500 to Rs 1,500. The first offence of using cellphone will mean Rs 500 fine and subsequent infringements can set the offender back by Rs 5,000 in penalties. To discourage the use of cellphones, which have emerged as a key reason for road accidents all over the world, the new bill has proposed stiff fines.
Working on the proposition that higher fines work as a deterrent and can induce greater respect for the law, the Cabinet is expected to clear a slew of amendments in the Motor Vehicle Bill on Thursday. The increase in some categories are up to eight-10 folds over existing fines. The changes intend to make the vehicle owner responsible in case a minor is caught at the wheel.
The proposals to hike fines aim to target the major causes of accidents and fatalities on India’s roads - drunk driving, speeding, non-wearing of seatbelts and helmet and use of cellphone. To penalize habitual offenders, the bill incorporates higher fines and longer jail terms for repeat offences.
The disrespect for speed limits could attract Rs 1,000 fine for the first offence. Subsequently, the penalty could be as high as Rs 5,000.
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| Prakash Nayak, Manipal, Udupi Now in Delhi | Fri, March-2-2012, 6:15 |
| we should be very strict in implimenting this as it is for the safety of others, as one who is committing mistake / violating should feel the monetary loss of earned money which may make them feel at the end of the day. We also impose the same rule in Petrol pumps and CNG /LPG Gas filling stations the use of mobile by customers and for the staff and the operator it should be many folds. Also for the Law enforcing Agency Police as Staff should be suspended for violation and if repeated terminated. | |
| Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA | Thu, March-1-2012, 7:23 |
| The union cabinet has just got of from its sleep. This drunk driving has been going since ages but these corrupt police officials did not implement it due to bribery. With this heavy fines the cops can make more money by way of bribes. We hear in the media of pilots flying drunk at the cost of the lives of the passengers, crew members and the aircraft. Bribery has to be stopped and that way you will find few drunk drivers, drivers talking on mobile phones or texting while driving. | |
| Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA | Thu, March-1-2012, 5:04 |
| I think the government woke up from their nap just now. It seems that people just started driving just now and they were not aware of what was going on. These police will mint a lot of money by way of bribes. This is India going in the right direction. It is a good idea but I do not know whether this will work with this corrupt government and the police force. | |
| Alphonse Mendonsa, Pangla/Abu Dhabi | Thu, March-1-2012, 10:33 |
| Very good move indeed by Government as we daily accidents taking place due to drunk driving and most importantly using cell phones while driving esp. in scooters and bikes which are more dangerous at times. These stringiest and tough regulations will definitely not only reduce accidents but saves hundreds of innocent lives for sure. Tks Bellevision for this important news item. | |
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