3 months on, Punjab drags feet on hike in traffic fines

The Punjab government is dragging its feet on the bumped up fines for violation of traffic rules even three months after the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, came into effect. HT Image The state authorities, particularly transport minister Razia Sultana, have reservations over the hefty fines stipulated in the amended law that came into effect from September 1 and are in favour of lighter penalties instead. The transport department held meetings and drew up a proposal in mid-September with fines lighter on the pocket of traffic rule violators after examining the steep penalties provided in the amended law. As per the initial proposal, reduced fines are being considered for traffic offences such as speeding, mobile use while driving and driving without licence and registration papers whereas no relief has been proposed in penalties stipulated in the amended MV Act for tipsy drivers and those blocking the way of ambulance or any other emergency vehicle. Data shared by Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari in the Lok Sabha last month showed a dip in fatalities in September and October in states and union territories, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Puducherry and Chandigarh, which have implemented the amended MV Act.