Stricter penalties as new traffic law comes into effect in India

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 Rs1,000, which was earlier Rs100. If one is caught driving while using a mobile phone, it will invite a fine of between Rs1,000-5,000. Earlier it was Rs1,000.

Drunken driving earlier used to a invite fine of Rs2,000. Now, it has been hiked to Rs10,000.

In another welcome move, a driver can be fined Rs10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire brigade.

Earlier one had to shell out a meager Rs500 for driving without a license. Under the new law, that has multiplied to Rs5,000. For those continuing to drive despite disqualification, the fine has been raised from Rs500 to Rs10,000.

Taxi aggregatoRsviolating license laws will have to shell out a bomb in the shape of Rs1 lakh.

Overspeeding — a common issue on the road - will now invite a penalty of between Rs1,000-Rs2,000.

For those who drive without insurance, there will be consequences in the form of a fine of Rs2,000; those driving without helmets will have to pay Rs1,000 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 Rs20,000.

Also, the guardian will be held responsible for any road offense by any under-age driver. The guardian will have to pay Rs25,000, as well as undergo three yeaRsin jail and the registration will be cancelled.

More penalties will result in less 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 stakeholdeRsfor 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.

Indo-Asian News Service