Highlights of the New Traffic Fines for Violations – 2019

With the new traffic rules in India being implemented from 1 September
2019 through the New Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, let’s look at
some of the highlights:

1) Driving Without License:

The fine for driving with a DL has been increased by 10 times from the old
penalty of Rs.500 to now Rs.5,000.

2) Driving Without Insurance:

Through the amendment of the New MV Act 2019, the penalty has been
increased from Rs.1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months to Rs.2,000
and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months for the first-time offence and
Rs.4,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months for the second-time offence.

3) Driving Regardless of Disqualification:

The penalty for driving despite disqualification has been hiked from Rs.500 to
Rs.10,000 emphasising on repeated offence.

4) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Intoxicating

Substance:

If you’re caught for drink and drive, get ready to pay a hefty fine of
Rs.10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months for the first-time offence
and if you’re caught for the second-time for the same offence, the fine is
Rs.15,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years.

5) Not Wearing Helmet:

The traffic fine for riding a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet is Rs.1,000,
up from old penalty of Rs.100.

6) Racing and Speeding:

The penalty has been increased from Rs.500 to Rs.5,000 and/or

imprisonment of up to 3 months for the first-time offence, while for the
second-time offence, the fine is Rs.10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 1
year.

7) Offences by Juveniles:

While there was no penalty for this type of offence, the New MV
(Amendment) Act, 2019 imposes a fine of Rs.25,000 with imprisonment of 3
years for which the owner or the guardian shall be deemed guilty.

8) Offences Committed by Enforcing Officers:

While there was no penalty for this offence, the new fine is double the
penalty under the relevant section.

Bribing Traffic Officials:

To get away from the fine and penalties arising due to breaking traffic rules
in India, people try to bribe police officials. To some extent, people even
manage to get away by paying a bribe in the form of cash. However, bribing
an official is a crime in itself and should not be committed. The government
is taking certain measures to decrease and eventually eliminate this
atrocious crime. One of such measures is the introduction of ‘e-challan‘.
This system works similar to you purchasing something and using your debit
or credit card to pay the money and receiving a receipt. This way, cash does
not come into the picture and the funds are transferred directly to the
government. In this manner, they can also keep a track of offences and the
people involved.

Basic Traffic Rules and Manners:

The number of vehicles in India has been on the rise and, along with it, the
traffic on the road has increased substantially. It’s important that you are
aware of the basic traffic rules and manners to ensure you follow them for
your safety as well as for other road users. To enjoy the smooth operation of
the traffic, it’s recommended that you carefully observe all rules and
regulations set by the traffic department.

Here are some of the essential road safety rules in India:

 Keep Left: While driving/riding on a two-way road, ensure you drive

your vehicle on the left side of the road and let the oncoming traffic to
pass on the right side.
 Use Indicators: You should use the prescribed hand signs or
indicators to signal to other road users that you’re taking a turn, or
slowing down, or overtaking, or stopping.

 Wear Helmet: Always a helmet while riding a two-wheeler, and

ensure your pillion wears a helmet too. Make sure the helmet is ISI
certified as any deviation will lead to penalties for traffic violations.

 Wear Seatbelt: For four-wheeler users, it’s essential to wear the

seatbelt, this holds good for both the driver, the co-driver and other
passengers. Not wearing seatbelts will attract a hefty penalty.

 Do Not Use Mobile Phone: Using a mobile phone while driving or

riding might lead to an accident. It’s mandatory not to use phones
while driving or riding.

 Display Registration Marks Clearly: You must ensure that all

vehicle registration marks are displayed clearly and not hidden.

 Overtake only from the Right Side: While overtaking another

vehicle moving in the same direction, ensure you do so from the right
side of that vehicle only. Also, indicate by dipping and dimming your
headlights which will alert the vehicle in front of you. Overtaking is
prohibited while turning or in a curve as you may not have a clear view
of the road ahead.

 Give Way to Emergency Vehicles: It’s your responsibility to give

free passage to ambulances and fire service vehicles.

 Maintain Lane Discipline: Changing lanes frequently could lead to

an accident. Ensure you follow lane discipline at all times. If you’re
looking to turn left, then drive on the left-most lane of the road so that
you do not inconvenience to other road users.

 Maintain Prescribed Speed Limit: Follow the prescribed speed limit

at both city limits and on highways. Overspeeding attracts a hefty fine
and could be dangerous for other road users.

 Follow Road Signs: Road signs such as ‘No Parking’, ‘No Right Turn or
Left Turn’, ‘No Honking’, etc. should be followed effectively for your
safety and others.

 ‘U’ Turn: You can take a ‘U’ Turn only when there’s no warning sign,
and when there’s no traffic around your vehicle. Also, take it only when
 it’s safe and give a clear indication to other vehicle users that you’re
taking a ‘U’ Turn either through indicators or hand signals.

 Maintain Distance Between Vehicles: Traveling close to a vehicle

has a good chance that you might crash into the other vehicle if it
stops abruptly. It’s important to maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front of you so that you have enough time to react during
emergencies.

 Give Way to Pedestrians: Pedestrians have the right to way

especially at zebra and pedestrian crossings.

 Carry Driving and Vehicle Documents: Always carry vehicle and

driving-related documents such as your driving license, vehicle
registration certificate, vehicle insurance and emission or PUC
(Pollution Under Control) certificate. You can carry your DL and RC in
digital format through DigiLocker and mParivahan mobile applications.

 Don’t Jump a Red Signal: Red light signal is for you to stop on the
marked line and not beyond that. You could block vehicles coming from
other directions.

 Don’t Ride on Footpath: Ensure you ride or drive only on roads and
not on the footpath which is exclusive to pedestrians.

 Prohibition of Drink and Drive: Driving under the influence of

alcohol or other intoxicating substance is prohibited. This can alter
your decision-making process while negotiating an accident or
following traffic rules.

 Unnecessary Honking: Honking is prohibited in and around areas

such as schools and hospitals. Also, it’s important not to use your
vehicle’s horn unnecessarily as this leads to noise pollution.

 Give Way When Another Vehicle Overtakes: When another vehicle

is overtaking your vehicle, do not increase speed or do anything that
hampers the other vehicle from overtaking your vehicle.

 Be Careful at Intersections: While approaching an

intersection/junction/crossing, ensure that your vehicle is not
obstructing the way for other users. Always give way to vehicles which
are already moving to that particular road and then proceed once it’s
absolutely free.
 Do Not Overload: It’s dangerous to overload your vehicle beyond the
prescribed loading. Two-wheeler users should carry a pillion rider only
and not more than two persons.