india

Updated: Jun 07, 2020 12:21 IST

Increased penalties under the amended Motor Vehicles Act kicked in across the country from Sunday. The Centre, on Wednesday, issued a notification notifying the provisions of the new act. As many as 63 provisions, including the ones dealing with enhanced penalties for various traffic offences, were notified by the Centre.

The Motor Vehicle Bill, 2019, aimed at amending the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, was passed by Parliament last month, following which President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to it.

The new Act substantially increased penalties for traffic violations such as Rs 10,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from the earlier Rs 2000, Rs 10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles while drivers without helmets will be fined Rs 1000 instead of Rs 100 which is applicable at present.

Here are some crucial changes:

Easier treatment of accident victims: The central government will develop a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour – the first hour following an incident that is deemed to be crucial for treatment of trauma.

Better compensation: The bill increases the minimum compensation for hit and run. In case of death; from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh, and in case of grievous injury, from Rs 12,500 to Rs 50,000.

Making manufacturers fix defects: The Bill allows the central government to order recalls of vehicles if a defect can damage the environment, the driver, or other road users. The manufacturer will be required to reimburse the buyers for the full cost of the vehicle, or replace it with another vehicle with similar or better specifications.

New road safety body: The Bill provides for a National Road Safety Board, which will advise the central and state governments on aspects of road safety and traffic management including, such as: standards of motor vehicles, registration and licensing rules and promotion of new vehicle technology.

Regulating aggregators: The Bill defines aggregators as digital intermediaries or market places which can be used by passengers to connect with a driver for transportation purposes (taxi services). These aggregators will be issued licenses by state governments and must comply with the IT act.