Following a lengthy discussion, the Lok Sabha has passed the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill 2019. The new bill was passed to amend the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 which was tabled in the house back in 2017, but was not cleared in the upper house and eventually lapsed with the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.
Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways, Nitin Gadkari tabled the 2019 Bill. Among the major changes, the new bill calls for a substantial increase in fines for some offenses. Among these, drunken driving which earlier called for a penalty of Rs 2000 will now cost Rs 10,000 according to the new bill. Similarly, driving without a license which previously cost Rs 500 as a fine will now cost Rs 5,000 according to the new bill.
Other notable inclusions in the bill come in the form of a fine of Rs 10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles. The proposals for the new bill are based on the recommendations of transport ministers from 18 states, which were vetted by the Standing Committee of Parliament. Additionally, the driving training process has also been strengthened under the new bill. To help road accident victims, Good Samaritan guidelines have been incorporated in the Bill.
As per the new provisions in the case of a juvenile committing a road offence, “guardian/owner shall be deemed to be guilty and there will be a penalty of Rs 25,000 with three-year imprisonment and cancellation of registration of the Motor Vehicle”.
