New Motor Bill drafted; offenders could be sent to jail

In an attempt to improve road safety in the country, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry of the Government of India has presented a draft of a new Motor Bill that could send offenders to jail in certain cases. The ministry has sought comments from public and stakeholders on the Bill and will thereafter finalise it for presentation to Parliament during the ensuing winter session.

Here's a quick glance at some of the penalties that the Ministry has proposed through the Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014:

Penalty of Rs. 3 lakh and imprisonment for 7 years for causing the death of a child in certain circumstances.

Penalty of Rs 5 lakh per vehicle as well as imprisonment for faulty manufacturing design, besides cancellation of licences for rash and negligent driving.

Penalty of up to Rs. 1 lakh or imprisonment for a period of 6 months which may extend to 1 year for using a vehicle in unsafe conditions.

Penalty of Rs 25,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months and a six-month license suspension for first offence of drunk driving. Penalty of Rs 50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both and a one year license suspension. Any subsequent offence to result in the cancellation of the licence, and impounding of the vehicle which may extend for 30 days.

Penalty of Rs 50,000 fine with imprisonment for three years in the case of drunken school bus drivers. Immediate cancellation of licence in case of drivers in the age-group of 18 to 25 years.

Penalty of Rs. 15,000, licence cancellation for a month and compulsory refresher training for violating traffic signal three times.

The bill also provides for graded point system for imposing fines.

Source: ET Auto