Hyderabad: New stringent traffic rules have been put in place but the Police say that they would be implemented later. “May be after the Ganesh festival season,” they said.
The police do not wish to disturb the festive mood or that of those who are observing Muharram. But decisions have been taken at the top level to implement them quietly in about two weeks.
When enforced the new rule would mean jail time and hefty fines for parents who allow their underage wards to drive vehicles.
“The new law states that the guardian/parent allowing a minor to drive will be deemed guilty and will be slapped with a fine of Rs 25,000, with three-year jail time,” a senior police official said.
The minor violator, on the other hand, will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act and the vehicle’s registration will be canceled.
As part of an ongoing drive police have announced that they registered 2,217 cases till June end. They also ensured fines amounting to around Rs 16.32 lakh against the violators. A total of 1,932 charge sheets also been filed.
Speaking to siasat.com Vinod Kanumula, a road safety expert said, “Parents and guardians who allow their kids to take vehicles out for a ride are not only endangering their lives but also of others. Many lives are destroyed over little joyrides by underage drivers. Their parents are mostly overlooking the risks and consequences. Underage driving can deeply impact the lives of people. In a split second, one can alter the course of numerous lives, including that of the child. It’s the parents’ job to be vigilant and educate their children about the dangers of such driving.”
Hyderabad City Police are conducting counseling sessions to control the menace. They summon parents along with the kids to brief them about the rules and make them aware of the risks to their kids and other commuters.
Driving without a seat-belt will attract a fine of Rs 1,000, up from the earlier Rs 100, use of mobile phone while driving a vehicle will invite a fine of between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000.
Drunken driving earlier used to attract a fine of Rs 2,000. This has now been hiked to Rs 10,000. In another move, a driver can be fined Rs 10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire brigade. Also, one got away for driving without a license with a fine of a meager Rs 500. Under the new law, that has been raised to Rs 5,000.
For those continuing to drive in spite of disqualification, the fine has been raised from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000. Taxi aggregators violating license laws will have to shell out a ‘bomb’ in the shape of Rs 1 lakh. Over speeding – a common issue on the road – will now invite a penalty of between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000.
For those who drive without insurance, there will be consequences in the form of a fine of Rs 2,000; those driving without helmets will have to pay Rs 1,000 and may face a three-month suspension of their license. The government has also said that overloading of vehicles will now draw a penalty of Rs 20,000.