The
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has finally come out with a draft of
the Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014 which will be tabled in Parliament
during the Winter Session. The draft bill has been released to the public to
seek their views and comments before it is finally presented in
Parliament.
Apart
from the hefty fines that have been proposed for traffic violations, for faulty
vehicles and other offences, the bill also seeks to provide a framework for
safer, faster, cost effective and inclusive movement of passengers and freight
in the country thus enabling the mission of ‘Make in India’. The measures mooted in the draft bill hopes
to save 200,000 in first 5 years due to reduction in road traffic accident
deaths. It could also lead to 4pc GDP improvement on account of
increased efficiency and safety
of road transport sector, besides creating 10,00,000 or 1 million Jobs with
increase in investment in the sector,
The
draft bill has mooted steep fines for violations of traffic norms and other irregularities
committed by motorists. Auto companies
too will face penalty for faulty vehicles. The setting up of a Unified Driver Licensing
System and a Unified Vehicle Registration System has been suggested.
Offences
like jumping a red line could cost Rs 5000 fine, while using a mobile phone
while driving could cost Rs 4000. Repeat offences could mean paying up even
more heftier fines, suspension of licenses and even getting packed off to a
refresher course. In extreme cases it could also lead to cooling your heals in
jail.
If a person holding a driving
licence attempts to hold any other driving licence could attract a fine of Rs.
25,000 fine, or imprisonment for a term of 3 months. Vehicles manufacturers too
have not been spared. Punishment for offences relating to manufacturing of faulty
vehicles results in a fine of Rs. 500000 per vehicle, or imprisonment for a
term of 3 months. Using vehicles without registration will attract Rs.25000
fine (1st offence); and each subsequent offence will be of Rs.
50,000 fine. Driving vehicles without registration – delivering of vehicle
without registration of vehicle will attract a fine of Rs. 100000.
Driving at excessive speed, etc -
in contravention of speed limits too will attract hefty fines. Cars,
motorcycles and other light vehicles which are driven more than 9 km/h but not more
than 19 km/h above the prescribed speed limit will attract a fine of Rs 5000.
For more than 19 km/h but not more than 29 km/h, the fine is Rs 7500, 2 weeks
license suspension, and compulsory refresher training post suspension. For more
than 29 km/h but not more than 40 km/h, the fine will be Rs. 10,000, 3 weeks
license suspension, and compulsory refresher training post suspension. For speeds
of more than 40 km/h, the fine is Rs. 12,500, 8 weeks license suspension,
impounding of vehicle, and compulsory refresher training post suspension. For
speeding heavy motor vehicles, the fines are heftier.
And in case on were to repeat
this offence, there would be affine of Rs 25, 000 for these light vehicle
motorists and immediate license suspension, which may extend to 6 months. Heavy
motor vehicle drivers will be fined Rs 50, 000 fine and immediate license suspension,
which may extend to 6 months..
There are also heavy fines to be
imposed on those who drive in a way that causes threat to
public safety, Driving against
the authorised flow of traffic, Dangerous passing or overtaking, Not giving way
to emergency vehicles, Dangerous driving with children on board, etc.
Driving under the influence of alcohol
or drugs – Alcohol will attract a fine of Rs 15, 000 fine, or imprisonment for
a term of 6 months, which may extend to 12 months, or with both, and a 6 month license
suspension from the date of conviction, or date of sentencing or date
of release. A second offence of
this nature will attract permanent cancellation of driving license and
imprisonment for a term extending to 2 years. School bus drivers caught in this
act will be fined Rs 50,000 fine, and imprisonment for a term which may extend
to 3 years.
Drivers between the age of 18 to
25 years who drink and drive, or those recently qualified or disqualified drivers,
or with those with children on board, etc will attract very hefty fines.
Those driving and causing death
in certain circumstances will have to pay a fine of Rs 100000, and imprisonment
for a term of not less than 4 years. And in case you cause death of a child
while on the wheels, the fine is Rs. 300000 and imprisonment for a term not less
than 7 years.
Violation of traffic signals
will attract a fine of Rs 5000 for the first offence. The 2nd offence will be Rs.
10,000 fine and the 3rd offence it will be Rs 15000 fine, 1 month license
suspension, and compulsory refresher training
Offences relating to certain
communication devices (mobile phones) will be Rs. 4,000 fine for first offence,
for 2nd offence -Rs. 6, 000 fine; and ??3rd offence - Rs. 10, 000 fine, 1 month license suspension,
and compulsory refresher training.
Offences relating to seat belts will
attract a fine of Rs. 5,000. Offences relating to protective headgear (helmets) will be Rs.2500
fine.