The Centre is planning major amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act to tighten road safety norms and curb repeat traffic violations. After nearly two years of consultations with states and approval from a Group of Ministers, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has prepared a proposal for the changes.
One of the key proposals is the suspension of driving licences of those who repeatedly violate traffic rules. To renew a suspended licence, motorists may be required to take the driving test again at a government-authorised driving testing centre.
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Repeat Traffic Ooffenders May Lose Licences
Sources in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the proposed amendments received approval during a recent Group of Ministers meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Centre has always believed that strict implementation of traffic norms will lower the rate of road accidents. Reckless driving not only puts the lives of drivers but also other people at risk. While the government came up with the e-challan to encourage compliance, several drivers are not bothered about their pending challans, the officers say. In the revised plan, pending challans will be tracked on the VAHAN portal, and frequent offenders might also have their licences cancelled.
Fresh Driving Test May Be Mandatory
The proposal also recommends temporarily restricting services such as vehicle fitness and pollution certificate renewals on the VAHAN portal for vehicles linked to repeated violations.
In addition, motorists whose licences are suspended may be required to clear a fresh driving test at a government-authorised testing centre before their licences can be renewed.
The government also wants to crack down on reckless driving and the use of uninsured vehicles. It has further proposed strengthening the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.
Under the proposal, the tribunal will be empowered to provide interim compensation to accident victims and their families so they do not have to wait for the final settlement of their claims.
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What Is In The New Law?
The proposed amendments also seek to restore the earlier system under which the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) determined third-party insurance premiums based on factors such as a vehicle's age and its challan history.
The government will now begin drafting a bill based on these recommendations. Officials are also considering a graded penalty system, under which licences could be suspended for specific violations and cancelled altogether if the number or seriousness of offences crosses a prescribed threshold. The final law is expected to clearly define different categories of traffic violations and the penalties applicable to each.