New MV Act draft bill aims to save 200,000 road accident deaths over 5 years, steep fines for traffic offenders

The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) first draft of guidelines – the Road Transport and Safety Act 2014 – has proposed a transport authority (called Motor Vehicle Regulation & Road Safety Authority of India), unified information systems, safety programmes and steep fines, among other things in a bid to bring down the sharp rise in road accidents and fatalities in the country.

The draft that will be debated in the upcoming winter session aims at ‘providing a scientifically planned and evolving framework for safer, faster and cost effective movement of passengers and freight in India’.

In the first five years of its implementation, the draft says 200,000 lives can be saved due to reduction in road traffic accident deaths, a four percent improvement in the GDP can be achieved on account of increased efficiency and safety of road sector and 10 lakh jobs can be created with increased investments.

The draft proposes the setting up of an independent national authority, to be known as the Vehicle Regulation and Road Safety Authority of India, in six months’ time. While this agency will be accountable to the Parliament, it will promote innovation and new technology adoption, devise innovative financing mechanisms to fund safety programmes and provide lead time for industry to adopt new standards.

The new draft also proposes that the National Authority would create, share and maintain a national unified information system that will be a holistic record of all issued driving licences, motor vehicle registrations, insurance, vehicle data from manufacturers, permits, road accidents, offences and penalties.

The National Authority will also be involved in setting basic safety standards for the vehicles including design, construction, operation and maintenance, a more competent ecosystem for issuing licences, encourage design, development and promotion of eco-friendly vehicles, promote new technology for hybrid and EVs, facilitate crash testing of vehicles, issue guidelines for non-motorised transport, mechanisms for vehicle recall, fuel quality, emissions, and alternate fuels.

The National Authority may issue directions to any State Safety Authority (SSA), which will be accountable to their respective governments. The SSAs, as per the newly designed draft, will prepare and implement a state road safety improvement plan that their governments will be tasked with funding.

The draft also proposes the creation of a single authority for improving quality of road transportation in the form of National Road Transport & Multimodal Coordination Authority. This body will establish a planning framework for passenger / goods transportation (including grant of permits), focus on developing integrated transport systems and multi-modal hubs, feeder systems and provide for last-mile connectivity.

The draft lays down a detailed list of penalties and fines for traffic offenders. For example, using vehicles without registration as a first offence will attract a fine of Rs 25,000 and each offence thereafter, Rs 50,000.

Other highlights are:

Punishment for offences relating to manufacturing of faulty vehicles Rs 500,000 fine per vehicle, or imprisonment for a term of 3 months, or with both, where the fine may be differentiated on basis of the vehicle size

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs Rs 15,000 fine, or imprisonment for a term of 6 months, which may extend to 12 months, or with both, and a 6-month license suspension from the date of conviction, or date of sentencing or date of release.

Driving uninsured vehicle Two-wheelers: Rs 10,000 fine, Light Motor Vehicle & Three- wheelers: Rs 25,000 fine, other categories of motor vehicles: Rs.75,000 fine

Violation of traffic signals 1st offence – Rs 5,000 fine; 2nd offence - Rs 10,000 fine; and 3rd offence - Rs. 15,000 fine, 1 month, license suspension, and compulsory refresher training

Causing death in certain circumstances- Death: Rs. 100,000 fine, and imprisonment for a term of not less than 4 years.

Causing death of a child: Rs 300,000 fine, and imprisonment for a term not less than 7 years.