Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

NEW DELHI: Clearing a steep increase in penalties for traffic violations, the Union Cabinet on Thursday proposed a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for death and Rs 50,000 for grievous injuries in hit-and-run cases. 

The move aims to end the different standards adopted to give compensation in such cases, which is paid by the government out of a fund. This was one of the several amendments in the Motor Vehicle Act which the Cabinet cleared. 

TOI had on Wednesday reported that the government was likely to approve a slew of measures including a stiff increase in fines for traffic offences. Road transport and highways minister C P Joshi said the Cabinet had given its go-ahead to revise the compensation amount for hit-and-run cases every three years. 

The Cabinet also cleared higher penalties for dangerous traffic violations. For example, a person can be fined Rs 1,000 for speeding 10km per hour beyond the permitted limit and Rs 5,000 if his speed is more than 25km over the limit. 

Under the proposed changes, not only talking on phone but also sending text messages or using hands-free mobile devices would be considered an offence while driving. 

In case of drunk driving, fines have been categorized on the basis of alcohol content in blood. 

For alcohol content between 30mg and 60mg per 100ml of blood, the penalty would be Rs 2,000 and six months’ jail, or both. It would be one year in jail and Rs 4,000 fine, or both, if the level is between 60mg and 150mg. For alcohol content more than 150mg, the penalty would be Rs 5,000 fine and two years’ imprisonment, or both. 

The Cabinet has also cleared the proposal to cancel driving licences if the offender is convicted for second or subsequent offences. The proposed norms have provision for up to six months in jail or a fine of Rs 10,000 in case a driver is caught under the influence of a narcotic substance. 

As per the changed provisions, motor insurance claims have to be filed within a year of the accident. At present, about 14 lakh such cases are pending in courts. 

Joshi said that only hiking fines was not enough to bring down road deaths. "It will have an impact if we have better enforcement. But we need to see how accidents can be brought down on rural roads," he added. 

S P Singh of Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training also felt that fines were not the deterrent. There is a need for stricter norms to suspend and revoke licences in second and third offences for speeding and drunk driving, he said. While the government has cleared several measures to bring down accidents, ministry officials said there is no mention of how to deal with overloading - one of the key reasons of mishaps and damage to roads.The amendment bill introduced in Rajya Sabha in 2007 had a provision for making the booking agents and consignees responsible for overloading. However, there is no timeframe on when this law will come into force.