Motor Vehicle Act 2016: Key lies in Enforcement

Pooja Chaudhary
Anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries caused an estimated
1.25 million deaths worldwide in the year 2013 - one person is killed every 25 seconds. Same
2015 report of WHO states that India had 2.3 lakh deaths on roads in 2013. Road accidents
kill more people in India than any single disease or terrorism or natural disasters. A
government report indicates a loss of 3 per cent of GDP due to road mishaps, compared to 1.5
per cent for other middle income countries. Many of us travelling abroad in Europe or SE
Asia are amazed at the traffic discipline and driving sense of citizens. An analysis of traffic
laws of these countries reveals two enablers efficient systematic approach towards road
eco-systems and heavy punitive measures against the violators.

Systematic Approach

Indian Parliament approved an amended version of Motor Vehicle Act 2016 on 10 April
2017. The law contains comprehensive rules giving a systematic approach to road safety. The
provisions include establishing a National Registry for vehicles, automated testing for driving
licences, and guidelines encouraging commuters to report and help accident victims. Much
demanded by all, it simplifies the provisions for claiming and settlement of vehicle accident
insurance claims. The new law intends to halve the number of deaths and injury due to road
accidents by 2020.

The approach is to improve the overall transport eco-system, and supports States in
improving public transport. The Bill also aims to reduce the corruption and waiting time in
vehicle registration and licensing through the use of automation and e-governance. Many
states (Haryana among them) have already a streamlined registration and licence issue
process. There is proposed to be an increase in the validity period for driving licenses. The
compensation payable to the victims in accidents in hit-and-run cases will be 2 lakh.
Maximum claim in case of death from a road accident is 10 lakh (5 lakh for grievous hurt)
payable by insurance companies. Currently, an insurers liability is unlimited in case of third
party insurance policies for injury or death.

Punitive Measures

The new law proposes stiff penalties for drunken driving,

driving without licence, dangerous driving, over-speeding,
overloading and other serious offences. The fine for over-
speeding will increase from 400 to 2,000 for medium
passenger vehicles; for drunken driving, the fine will rise from
2,000 to a stiff 10,000. For not wearing a helmet the fine will
be 1,000 with a license being confiscated for three months.
For driving without a license, the fine will be 5,000 and
driving without a valid insurance will be 2000. Indication
from the law-makers of Indian parliament is, that finally we
may be able to reduce the accidental death rates on Indian
roads. But, the key to its success lies in implementation of the law of the land.