Cabinet approves Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2016

The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016 has been approved by Union Cabinet . On the basis of recommendations of the GoM and other pressing requirements, MoRTH introduced the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016.

In the present Motor Vehicle Act, there are 223 Sections out of which the Bill aims to amend 68 sections whereas Chapters 10 has been deleted and a Chapter 11 is being replaced with new provisions to simplify third party insurance claims and settlement process. The important provisions include increase in compensation for Hit & Run cases from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 2 lakhs. It also has provision for payment of compensation upto Rs 10 lakh in road accidents fatalities.

The Bill also proposes insertion of 28 new sections. The amendments mainly focus on issues relating to improving road safety, citizens’ facilitation while dealing with the Transport Department. Strengthening rural transport, last mile connectivity and public transport, automation and computerization and enabling online services. The Bill propose to improve the transport scenario in the country by permitting the States to grant exemptions in Stage carriage and contract carriage permits for promoting rural transport, public transport, last mile connectivity and for passenger convenience and road safety. The Bill proposes that the State Government can specify a multiplier, not less than one and not greater than ten, to be applied to each fine under this Act and such modified fine. The bill proposes that the State Government can regulate the activities in a public place of pedestrians and such means of transport. Improving delivery of services to the stakeholders using e-Governance is one of the major focuses of this Bill.  This include enabling online learning licenses, increasing validity period for driving licenses,  doing away with the requirements of educational qualifications  for transport licenses are some of the features. The Bill proposes offences committed by Juveniles.   The Guardian / owner shall be deemed to be guilty in cases of offences by the Juveniles and Juvenile to be tried under JJ Act. Registration of Motor Vehicle to be cancelled. To improve the registration process for new vehicles, registration at the end of the dealer is being enabled and restrictions have been imposed on temporary registration.

In the area of road safety, bill proposes to increase penalties to act as deterrent against traffic violations.  Stricter provisions are being proposed in respect of offences like juvenile driving, drunken driving, driving without licence, dangerous driving, over-speeding, overloading etc.  Stricter provisions for helmets have been introduced along with provisions for electronic detection of violations.  To help the road accident victims, Good Samaritan guidelines have been incorporated in the Bill.  The Bill also proposes to mandate the automated fitness testing for the transport vehicles with effect from 1^st October 2018.  This would reduce corruption in the Transport Department while improving the road worthiness of the vehicle.  The penalties are also proposed for deliberate violation of safety/environmental regulations as well as body builders and spare part suppliers.

Proposed Amendments in Various Penalties under Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill, 2016

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