If you have a habit of jumping the traffic light, driving against the flow of traffic or using a phone while driving, beware from now onwards, otherwise, you may land in trouble.
The traffic police can book you and fine you up to Rs 5,000 and you could also end up in jail for doing these.
This is going to happen from now as the enhanced penal provisions for traffic offences in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act has came into force from Sunday, (September 1).
“The penalties have been increased substantially for offences that pose greater risk to other road users,” TOI quoted a transport ministry official as saying.
He said each case of jumping the traffic light, driving against the flow of traffic or using a mobile phone while driving can result in an accident.
Penalties for drunk driving, not wearing a helmet or using the seatbelt have also been increased.
This is also for the first time that a provision has been made to impose a stiff 200% fine on traffic police and transport department personnel caught contravening traffic rules.
Driving without a seat-belt can now invite a fine of Rs. 1,000, which was earlier Rs.100. Use of mobile while driving can invite a fine between Rs. 1,000-5,000. Earlier it was Rs. 1,000.
For drunk driving, the fine has been hiked from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 10,000. Drivers will be fined Rs. 10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire brigade.
Overspeeding can now invite a penalty between Rs. 1,000- Rs. 2,000. The penalty has been increased from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,000 for light motor vehicles and Rs. 2,000 for medium passenger vehicles.
For driving without insurance, there will be a fine of Rs. 2,000; those driving without helmets will have to shell out Rs. 1,000 and can face three-month suspension of their licence. Overloading of vehicles will draw a penalty of Rs. 20,000