With an aim to enhance road safety, the Motor Vehicle Bill 2016 passed by the Union Cabinet last August proposes to increase penalties, that it hopes will act as deterrent against traffic violations. Stricter provisions are being proposed with respect to offences like driving without licence, over-speeding, juvenile driving, drunken driving, dangerous driving, overloading etc. According to government statistics, every year five lakh road accidents are reported, in which 1.5 lakh people lose their lives. In the present Motor Vehicle Act, there are 223 Sections out of which the Bill has tried to amend 68 sections. New provisions are being made to simplify third party insurance claims and settlement process. Stricter penalties for offences by juveniles, higher compensation for hit and run cases, improved process for registration of new vehicles – these are some of the key features of the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016. The amendments are mainly focused on issues that relate to improving road safety and citizens’ ease and facilitation while dealing with the Transport Department. Last mile connectivity, public transport, strengthening rural transport, automation and computerisation, enabling online services are some of the other areas that find focus in the Bill. The budget session of Parliament is likely to begin from 31st January and government hopes to get the Bill passed. The compensation for hit and run cases will be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh. There is also a provision for payment of compensation up to Rs 10 lakh in the case of road accident fatalities. To help road accident victims, “Good Samaritan” guidelines have been incorporated in the Bill. Stricter provisions for helmets have been introduced along with provisions for electronic detection of violations. The Bill also proposes that in the case of offences committed by juveniles, the guardian/owner shall be deemed guilty. The juvenile would be tried under JJ Act. Registration of the motor vehicle will also be cancelled. Some of the salient features do talk of tough punishment for the offender but when looked through the local prism the violations are blatant. Jammu is a fine example of violation of these laws. Vehicle users, pedestrians care two hoots for the law enforcing agencies thus creating chaos on the roads. So how far the new Bill would be able to bring some discipline on roads is to be seen.
