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    Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill increases penalties for traffic violations, regulates cab aggregators

    Story outline

    • Drunk driving will cost the driver a fine of Rs 10,000, up from Rs 2,000 at present, while penalty for speeding jumps 10 times to Rs 5,000.
    • The Bill also seeks to regulate cab aggregators by levying a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh for violation of licensing norms.
    • Compensation for hit-and-run cases increases to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 25,000 in case of death and Rs 12,000-15,000 in case of grievous injuries.
    • Transport ministry has charted a Rs 14,000 crore-plan to tackle road accidents in the country.
    Motor Vehicles Act: Here's how much these traffic violations will pinch your pocket
    NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which seeks to make the country’s roads safer by enforcing stricter penalties for traffic violations.

    The Bill, which seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, has increased penalties for traffic violations manifold and seeks to regulate cab aggregators. It will strengthen the public transportation system in the country, minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said after the Bill was passed.

    “The much-needed amendments will improve road safety, facilitate citizens in their dealings with transport departments, strengthen rural transport, public transport and last-mile connectivity through automation, computerisation and online services," Gadkari said.

    The Bill proposes stringent norms for issue of driving licence, increased penalties for violation of traffic rules, and formation of a national road safety board, among other measures, all of which are expected to bring down the number of deaths due to road accidents.

    According to the minister, more than 500,000 road accidents take place in the country every year, leading to around 150,000 deaths. The number could come down by 50% if the provisions of the Bill are implemented, he said.

    Among key proposals is one to fine cab aggregators, like Ola and Uber, up to Rs 1 lakh for violation of licensing norms.

    Drunk driving will invite a fine of Rs 10,000, up from Rs 2,000 at present, while penalty for speeding has been increased 10 times to Rs 5,000.

    The Bill also provides for increased compensation in hit-and-run cases—from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh in case of death, and Rs 12,500-50,000 in case of grievous injuries.

    5

    The Bill seeks to formulate a national transportation policy in consultation with state authorities, which will include suggestions on electric and shared mobility, which will help revive the public transportation system in the country, the minister said.

    The Bill will again go to the Lok Sabha as the government moved three amendments. “The stakeholders of this policy will be state governments. It is not mandatory for states to adopt this policy,” Gadkari told the Rajya Sabha.

    The transport ministry has charted out a Rs 14,000 crore-plan to tackle road accidents in the country. “We have received an in-principle approval for Rs 7,000 crore from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the same and we will receive it from World Bank also very soon,” Gadkari said.

    The Rs 14,000 crore will be used not only on national highways, but also on state and district roads to identify black spots, Gadkari said.

    The Bill has provisions for setting up driver training centres in backward areas which can help create 2.2-2.5 million jobs.
    ( Originally published on Aug 01, 2019 )
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