K’taka govt slashes penalties

SOME SECTIONS HAVE OPPOSED THE MOVE TO SLASH THE AMOUNT, SAYING THERE WAS AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AFTER THE AMENDMENT

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Saturday announced a cut in penalties for traffic violations under the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act. The government issued a notification revising the fines that need to be collected for various traffic violations.

There has been severe criticism to the ‘hefty fine’ from sections of the public, with many arguing that the government should first provide good road infrastructure.

Some sections opposed the move to slash the amount, saying there was a drastic improvement in motorists following the rules after the act was amended.

Fines have been slashed for various violations.

For driving at excessive speed, the fine has been reduced from ~2,000 to ~1,000 for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and light motor vehicles (LMVS) while the penalty for the rest has been reduced from ~4,000 to ~2,000.

Fine for violation of safety measures for motorcycle riders and pillion riders has been reduced from ~1,000 to ~500, while penalty for not wearing protective headgear and failure to use safety belts and seating of children has been reduced from ~1,000 to ~500.

Following the public outcry, and after the Gujarat government announced a drastic cut in penalties for traffic violations, Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa had also said it would be implemented in the state also. The Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Gujarat government had announced the drastic cut even as the Centre was justifying the steep fine amount.

On July 31, the Parliament had passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, seeking to tighten road traffic rules like issuance of driving licence and imposing of stricter penalties for violations in an effort to improve road safety.