Rajasthan postpones implementation of amended penalties for traffic rule violations

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has postponed implementing the amended Motor Vehicle Act that came into force in the country on Sunday. The Act makes provision for hefty penalties for traffic rule violations. According to reports, state transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas has put a break on the implementation of the amended Act with a view that it would lead to an increase in corruption. He said that the penalties would be reviewed and then implemented.

About 10,000 people are killed in road accidents in Rajasthan every year. With a view to cut the number of causalities by half by 2020, the union government amended the Motor Vehicle Act and increased penalties for traffic rule violations by manifold. For example, the penalty for driving without license was earlier Rs 500. It has been increased to 5,000 in the amended law. The penalty for driving under influence has been increased to Rs 10,000 from Rs 2,000.

 Traffic rule violations are a major cause for road accidents in the state. However, the minister is of the view that such a major increase in penalties may lead to corruption among agencies responsible for curbing traffic rule violations.

The minister told a Hindi daily that a discussion would be held with senior police and transport department officers and the implications of the increase in penalties will be reviewed. The amended Act will be implemented after the review, he said.