A draft legislation to amend the Motor Vehicles Act to impose stiffer penalties on traffic rules violations and to protect the Good Samaritans from legal harassment was passed by theLok Sabha on Monday April 10,2017
The bill proposes hefty penalties for various traffic offences, three-year jail term for parents of minors caught driving and causing fatal accidents, and a ten-fold increase in compensation for the families of accident victims, among other things.
The changes in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016, were approved by the Union cabinet on March 31,2017
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha last August and was referred to a parliamentary standing committee, whose suggestions have been endorsed by the Union Cabinet.
Highlights of the Bill:
To bring down traffic offenses, the bill has proposed a three-year jail term for parents of minors who are caught driving. It also proposes a 10-fold increase in compensation to the family of a victim in case of an accident
For third-party insurance, the Bill caps maximum liability in case of an accident, Rs 10 lakh in an accident case and five lakh in case of injury. It will also provide compulsory insurance cover in certain types of accidents for all road users.
To ensure hassle-free and quick services, the Bill proposes increasing validity of driving licenses, online learning licenses, and omitting the requirement of minimum qualification to get a driving license issued. In addition, existing categories of driving licenses will be amended.
The compensation to hit-and-run victims will be provided from a Solatium Fund. Also those extending help to victims of road accidents will be protected from any civil or criminal action. It will also provide for recalling of vehicles in case of any defects.
The bill also defines taxi aggregators. For them, the guidelines will be determined by Central government. Currently, the guidelines are decided by respective state governments
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