Motor Vehicles Act tabled in LS

New Delhi, July 15

The government today again introduced in the LS a legislation seeking higher penalties for traffic rule violations and protection of Good Samaritans, among other provisions. 

Amid concerns flagged by some members over certain provisions in the Bill, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari clarified that provisions in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, will not be binding on states.

Around 30 per cent of driving licences in the country are bogus and about 1.5 lakh people die and 5 lakh get injured in road accidents every year, he said. “My department has failed to pass the Bill in the last five years but the number of accidents has reduced by around three to four per cent in the past five years while incidences came down by around 15 per cent in Tamil Nadu during the same period,” he said.

He added the Centre was not looking to take away the rights of states and urged the House to pass the legislation which would help in saving more lives. Apart from increasing penalties for violations, the Bill also seeks to facilitate grant of online learning licence and simplify provisions for insurance to provide expeditious help to accident victims and their families.

While capping compensation in case of death, grievous injuries and other cases has drawn criticism, another provision—to raise the time limit for renewal of driving licence from one month to one year before and after the expiry date — was also opposed by Opposition members, including TMC’s Mahua Moitra. — TNS

Moots Rs 5L relief for death in accident 

• According to the Bill, the motor vehicle owner or the insurer would pay Rs 5 lakh compensation in case of death and Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injury in a mishap
• The legislation seeks to increase penalties for traffic violations, facilitate grant of online learning licence, and simplify insurance provisions to provide expeditious help to accident victims and their families PTI