Road safety bill gets nod, steep fines proposed

The Union Cabinet finally gave its nod to the much-awaited Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016, which seeks to impose hefty penalties for violation of traffic norms, including up to Rs 10,000 fine for drunken driving and Rs 2 lakh compensation for hit-and-run cases. It also provides for up to Rs 10 lakh compensation in case of road fatality, besides fines in the range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000 for over speeding. Union minister for road and surface transport Nitin Gadkari had taken up the task of amending the Motor Vehicle Act after the death of the former Union minister Gopinath Munde in a road accident in the national capital. Mr Gadkari told reporters after the Cabinet approval that the decision is historic and would ensure lakhs of lives being saved in the coming years. The government is likely to bring the bill before Parliament in the ongoing Monsoon Session. He noted that the Bill has been drafted on the basis of the recommendations of the state ministers. As per the bill, driving without insurance will be punishable with Rs 2,000 fine and/or three-month imprisonment, while driving without helmets will attract Rs 2,000 fine and 3-month suspension of licence. It also includes provision which makes guardian/owner guilty in case of road offence by juveniles and vehicle registration will be cancelled.