Hyderabad: Violators of traffic rules will have to pay very heavy penalties, probably from September 1, as the Motor Vehicle Rules (Amendment) Bill passed by the Parliament, has received the assent of the President of India.
The State Government is gearing up to implement the harsher punishments and penalties, as the amended law aims at reducing, if not stopping, the traffic accidents, which have become one of the major cause for the increased number of deaths in the country.
The penalty amounts now existing and those which will be coming to force from September 1, for different violations, are as follows: Not using helmet – Rs.100 penalty now; the proposed one is Rs.1000, plus three months disqualification (from use of vehicle); Drunken driving – Rs.2,000 penalty now; proposed amount is Rs.10,000; Not tying the seat belt – increased from Rs.100 to Rs.1000; Driving without driving license – Rs.500 to Rs.5000; Rash driving – From Rs.400 to Rs.1000 – 2000; driving vehicle in a dangerous manner – from Rs.1000 to Rs.5000; If way is not given to emergency vehicles – Rs.10,000; Vehicle not having Insurance – from Rs.1000 to 2000; vehicle not having permit – Rs.5000 to Rs.10,000.
If goods transport vehicles resort to over loading, the penalty has been increased to Rs.20,000. Similarly, if vehicles are over loaded with passengers, the fine will be levied at Rs.1000 per each person above the prescribed limit.
NSS