Relief likely from huge traffic fines

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 31

Relief from huge penalties for violation of traffic rules is in the offing as the UT Administration is contemplating reducing these substantially.

Sources said a decision in this regard was likely to be taken next week during a review meeting, to be chaired by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore. The Governor will review the functioning of the Transport Department and the proposal for reducing the penalties will also be discussed at the meeting.

Chandigarh is one of the few UTs and states to have implemented the amended Motor Vehicles Act from September 1 under which penalties for various traffic violations have been increased manifold.

Enhanced penalties are also yet to be implemented in neighbouring cities such as Mohali. Many states, including Gujarat and Punjab, have not implemented the amended Act.

The Administration has been getting representations from various quarters to reduce the penalties. Under the amended Act, the penalty for drunken driving has been enhanced up to Rs 10,000 for the first offence and imprisonment up to two years and/or a fine of Rs 15,000 for the second offence.

The penalty for  driving without a licence  has been increased from Rs 500  to  Rs 5,000, for dangerous driving from  Rs 1,000  to  Rs  5,000, for speeding from   Rs 400  to  Rs 1,000, for not wearing a seat belt from Rs  100  to   Rs 1,000 and for driving without insurance from Rs 1,000  to Rs 2,000.

 A  provision   for a fine of Rs 10,000    has been made  for not giving way to emergency vehicles and Rs 10,000 for driving despite disqualification. Racing and speeding  invites imprisonment up to one month and/or a fine up to Rs 10,000.