Own car, bike? New traffic rules effective today - Violators may face Rs 25,000 fine, jail

New traffic rules from today: If you drive a car or two-wheeler then you have to be more careful on the road now, as the new traffic rules are effective from today (September 1, 2019). Under the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019, stringent provisions have been laid down by the government to ensure safety on the roads. A violator may have to pay as much as Rs 25,000 penalty under the new traffic rule. 

If a person continues to drive despite disqualification then a fine of Rs 10,000 will be levied,  while over-speeding may attract Rs 1,000- Rs 2,000 fine. Driving without helmets will attract a fine of Rs 1,000 and a three-month suspension of licence, while driving without insurance will attract Rs 2,000 fine. Now, if you do not give way to emergency vehicles while driving then there will be Rs 10,000 fine.

A person can be given up to 6 months of jail and/or a fine of up to Rs 10,000 for Drunken driving in case of first-time offence.  A person may be jailed up to 2 years and/or a fine of Rs 15,000 for the second offense. 

The owners or guardians of the car will be now be held guilty in case of road offence committed by juveniles and the registration of the vehicle may be cancelled. The parents may also be fined a sum of Rs 25,000 and face imprisonment of up to three years, besides other stringent provisions laid down. 

Earlier this year, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was passed in Rajya Sabha. It amended the 30-year old motor vehicle law - Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 - to improve road safety, raise penalties for traffic violations, curb corruption, etc.