File photo: Mathrubhumi Archives / Akhil E S

Thiruvananthapuram: The amended Motor Vehicle Act that conditions stringent punishments for traffic rule violations will come into force on Sunday. The strict inspection as part of Road Safety Action Plan will start from Tuesday onwards.

Transport minister A. K. Saseendran said that the custom of blocking vehicles for checking will be replaced with digital systems. Such detailed amendments are made to the Motor Vehicle Act after 30 years. The minister said that strict punishments will help reduce road accidents and make people aware of road safety.

A total of 14,076 accidents took place from April to June 2019 in which 1203 people were killed. An average of 45,000 accidents and 4500 accident deaths are reported in a year. So, there is no other means than increasing the penalty for rule violations to ensure safety, the minister said.

Online payment of fine

As the penalty for rule violations is increased, it can be remitted through POS (Point of Sale Machine/swiping) machines, if the vehicle owner has no adequate amount in hand. Also online facility will be available for paying the fine.

The owner can submit the RC book as guarantee and later pay the fine at the office. If the owner is not willing for any of these conditions, the vehicle will be seized and the owner can proceed legally against it.

Social service for cancelled licence

In case of any serious traffic offence is committed leading to the cancellation of driving licence, the person will have to attend refreshment course and engage in social service. Action will be taken after discussing it with the Departments of Social Justice and Health. The social service refers to the service in hospitals, palliative care and the like. This is applicable for KSRTC drivers also.

Fine for vehicle dealers

If the dealer registers the vehicle showing wrong information, he/she will be awarded imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year or a fine of that amounts to 10 times of the annual tax.

1 year jail for dangerous driving

Dangerous driving will invite a jail term from 6 months to one year and/or a fine of Rs 5000. By dangerous driving, it refers to passing the red light, not obeying the stop sign, using mobile phone while driving, dangerous overtaking and wrongly passing on one way. Holding a mobile phone in hand while driving is made an offence. Driving without licence will invite a fine of Rs 5000.

Helmet for pillion rider

Helmets will be made compulsory for also pillion riders and children sitting in front side on two wheelers.

No curtain in VIP vehicles

Placing curtains in the vehicles of VIPs including DGPs is a violation of law, said minister A. K. Saseendran. The window glasses should be 50 percent transparent. But VIPs including civil service officers are violating the law by putting curtains inside vehicles.

The chief secretary sought explanation from the officials as the high court has made it clear that putting curtains in vehicles is violation of rules. He added that the non-transparent covers could be used in the vehicles of chief minister and other VIPs due to security reasons.