Get ready for heavy fine from today

Get ready to pay Rs 1000 if you do not use your helmet asthe new Motor Vehicles Act will come into effect in Assam from this morning.

Not only that if you do not wear a seat belt, but you are also to pay a fine of Rs 1000 and three-month cancellation of the license.  The State Transport department has notified the new act from today.

What is it?

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is based on the recommendations of the Group of Transport Ministers of States. Given that the Act wanted to deter individuals from violating traffic rules, it has introduced heavy fines for drunken driving, driving without license, dangerous driving, over-speeding, etc. These penalties will be increasing by 10 per cent every year on April 1, as notified by the Central government. The new Act has also extended the period for renewal of driving licenses from one month to one year after the date of expiry. Only if the renewal delayed more than a year, will the driver have to undergo a test of competence. The Act also promises to protect those people who render emergency medical or non-medical assistance to a victim of an accident, from any civil or criminal liability. The minimum compensation for death or grievous injury due to hit and run has been moved up substantially.

Why should I care?

Not following the traffic and road safety rules as per theAct will burn a hole in your pocket. For not wearing a helmet, the fine hasincreased from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, plus a three-monthdisqualification of license. For not wearing a seatbelt, the penalty is now Rs 1,000.For speeding or racing, the fine has increased from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 and for drunken driving from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000.The fine for driving without a valid license is now Rs 5,000.

Besides higher penalty, the new Act also includesimprisonment for severe crimes. Speed racing can attract imprisonment for threemonths (with or without a fine); this will extend to a period of one year ifcaught for the second time. For offences by juveniles, the guardian or owner ofthe vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty and punished with an Rs 25,000-fine and three years' imprisonment. The juvenile would betried under Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 and the registration of motor vehiclewill be cancelled for a period of 12 months. The owner of a motor vehicle whoalters it by way of retrofitting of motor vehicle parts in a manner notpermitted under the Act shall be punished with imprisonment for a term whichmay extend to six months (and/or with fine of Rs 5,000per such alteration).