Gujarat Government Reduces Hefty Traffic Violation Fines Stipulated In The Amended MV Act

The Gujarat government on Tuesday (10 September) announced reduction in the amount of fines stipulated in the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, which was implemented recently, reports India Today.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Parliament in July. The amended Act’s steep fines came into effect from 1 September. However, some states opposed its stringent provisions saying people needed time to get acquainted with the increased penalties.

Announcing the decision to slash fines, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that his government reduced the fines after detailed deliberations. He said that the fines laid down under the new act were maximum suggested.

“The fine amount for different violations proposed under the Central law is the upper limit. Penalty collection is not our objective. We want people to be safe. The Gujarat government will enforce the law strictly wherever it is needed. We will be lenient wherever needed. That is why we will not impose any fine on pillion riders,” Rupani said, as reported by The Hindu.

After the Gujarat government’s decision to reduce penalties, driving a two-wheeler without helmet will attract a fine of Rs 500 in the state, instead of Rs 1,000 under the Act. Similarly, the penalty for driving without a licence has been reduced from Act’s Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,000 for two-wheelers and Rs 3,000 for four-wheelers.

Further, for dangerous driving as well as driving on the wrong side, the first-time penalty would be Rs 1,500 for three-wheelers, Rs 3,000 for light motor vehicles and Rs 5,000 for heavier vehicles.

Car drivers not fastening seat belts will be fined Rs 500 against Rs 1,000 suggested in the central Act. The new provisions will come into effect in Gujarat from 16 September.

CM Rupani said that the state government was not showing leniency to traffic violators by reducing fines and pointed out that penalties fixed now are still up to 10 times of that charged before the new act came into force.