Motor Vehicles Bill: From traffic violation fines to Uber, Ola regulation; 10 new rules

Having being passed both at the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the ongoing Parliament session, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, will become a law once it gets the President's nod.

Aimed at bringing several important changes in the transportation system, the bill seeks to bring amendments to improve road safety and transport services. Once implemented, the central government will also get the legal power to regulate the likes of Ola and Uber and enforce compliance.

In the new proposed law, the government also wants to hike fine for violation of traffic regulations like drunken driving, driving without seat belt, and riding without helmet.

Here are 10 things to know about how the new Motor Vehicles Bill will affect you:

1) Those caught for drunken driving will be fined ₹10,000 under the new Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Currently, the fine for such an offence is ₹2,000.

2) Not wearing a seat belt might also prove heavier on your wallet as the fine will be increased to ₹1,000 from ₹100 now.

3) For two-wheelers, the fine for not wearing helmets has been increased from ₹100 to ₹1,000. On subsequent charges, you may be disqualified for 3 months from driving. The new law will also be stricter on triple riding as the fine for overloading of two-wheelers will be increased to ₹2,000 from ₹100 now.

4) The new legislation provides for stricter punishment in road accident cases. The minimum compensation for hit and run cases will be hiked from ₹25,000 to ₹2 lakh in case of death, and from ₹12,500 to ₹50,000 in case of grievous injury.

5) Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the new Motor Vehicles Bill will instill fear of law in people who violate traffic rules as an intelligent traffic system will monitor traffic offences.

6) Getting a driving licence would also be an easier and a transparent process as Gadkari said whether the applicant is a minister or an MP, he or she will get licence only after passing online tests. The bill provides for online learners licence with mandatory online identity verification.

7) The bill provides guidelines for cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. At present, there are no rules in several states for regulating such cab services which will get licenses from state governments under the new bill. The proposed law creates a new provision of a fine ranging anywhere in between ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh in case of violations by cab aggregators.

8) The bill includes penalties in the range of ₹1,000- 2,000 for over-speeding. Driving without insurance will be punishable with ₹2,000 fine, while driving without helmets will attract ₹1,000 penalty and 3-month suspension of licence.

9) In a first, the Centre will develop a system for cashless treatment of road accident victims during the golden hour -- time period lasting one hour after a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing medical care. Besides, citizens who come forward and rescue accident victims will not be harassed.

10) If a vehicle manufacturer fails to comply with motor vehicle standards, the penalty will be a fine of up to ₹100 crore, or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. If a contractor fails to comply with road design standards, the penalty will be a fine of up to one lakh rupees. The central government may increase fines mentioned under the Act every year by up to 10%.