Stringent traffic rules aim at curbing road injuries: Gadkari.
New Delhi: Intelligent traffic system does not discriminate between violators of law whether it is a fundamental minister, chief minister, bureaucrat or even a journalist, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated on Sunday while claiming hefty fines for traffic rule violations are aimed at controlling road accidents.
In addition, he emphasized that there should not be any fear of hefty”challans” if someone is abiding by the law.
Post imposition of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, by September 1, heavy challans for traffic rules violations by law enforcement have hit the headlines.
“Why is this fear of challans if one is following traffic rules. Folks should rather be pleased that India’s streets will become safer just like abroad where folks strictly abide by traffic standards.
“I’m sensitive to the situation. Ask the family members who have lost someone close and dear in road mishaps. 65 per cent of their street injuries victims are at the age bracket of 18 to 35 decades, ask their families the way they feel. I also am an crash victim and it’s a well-thought-of step with permission from almost all political parties if Congress, Trinamool or TRS,” he explained.
He explained there are people who have not even been once fined as they follow traffic norms asking why others cannot emulate them.
Asked there were multiple instances of hefty penalties where challans issued surpassed that the cost of the automobile, the minister stated that they were slapped multiple fines on account of numerous offences and cases came to his view at which offenders lacked permit, contamination clearance, insurance etc..
“Intelligent traffic system does not discriminate. If you violate the law, then you will need to pay punishment if you are central minister, Chief Minister, bureaucrat or a journalist. There have been cases in my personal knowledge where CMs and many others are slapped with challans.” He appealed to the people to use the electronic platforms such as DigiLocker or mParivahan to carry Driving Licence, Registration Certificate or additional files in’electronic form’ that are valid under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and present them to traffic authorities if asked.
These electronic records available on DigiLocker or mParivahan are regarded as recognised at par with the initial documents in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Motor Vehicles Act. As per the Motor Act, the owner/driver must create the records — permit or certificate of enrollment etc to this authority on demand.
About nations, he said that the countries are still on board and have started implementing the new provisions and Tamil Nadu can play a role design as implementation has led to 28 per cent fall in accidents in the nation.
India accounts for 5 lakh road accidents annually, one of the greatest in the world where 1.5 lakh people die and the other three lakh are crippled.
The minister said the reduction to the GDP was two percent due to lack of lives in road injuries whined about poor infrastructure at certain regions, Gadkari stated the new Act has provisions of nice on contractors in the event of potholes and penalty was greater in case of offences committed by executing authorities.
The minister stated that NHAI has completed 70 per cent of the work pertaining to fixing of 786 accidental spots at a cost of approximately Rs 12,000 crore. Furthermore, states are requested to identify black spots that are corrected at a price of approximately Rs 14,000 crore.
The Act provides for a penalty of Rs 10,000 for never giving way to emergency vehicles and Rs 10,000 for driving even though disqualification.
Penalty for hazardous driving was increased to Rs 5,000 from Rs 1,000, while drunken driving under the new law brings a fine of Rs 10,000.
Penalties for over-speeding include Rs 1,000- 2,000.
Additionally, the guardian/owner will probably be deemed guilty in the event of street offence by juveniles, while registration of the automobile is going to be cancelled.
Traffic violations now attract a penalty of Rs 500 in place of Rs 100 earlier, whilst disobedience of orders authorities will draw in a minimum penalty of Rs 2,000 in area of Rs 500 earlier.
Cab-aggregators violating licensing conditions will be billed a sum of around Rs 1 lakh, although construction of vehicles could attract a penalty of Rs 20,000.
Penalty for unauthorised use of vehicles without a license was fixed at Rs 5,000 while those driving without a license will need to pay out the same amount and those found driving despite disqualification will be fined Rs 10,000.
The fees are based upon the recommendations of transport ministers from 18 countries, which have been vetted by a standing committee of Parliament.