Drive drunk and be ready to be jailed for four years

 Drive drunk and be ready to be jailed for four years

With increasing incidents of road rage and drunken driving across the country, the government today approved harsher punishment for traffic violations by amending the Motor Vehicle Act.
Habitual traffic offenders, drunk drivers and those using mobile phones while driving, would not only be fined five times higher, but also a jail term.
Under the fresh rules approved by the Union Cabinet, violations would attract penalties from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 and jail term ranging from four months to two years. The amendments will be introduced in Parliament in the Budget session.

As of now, only some cities in the country have strict laws for drunken driving that includes imprisonment. Mumbai is one such city which imposes these harsh penalties. A Delhi Traffic Police official not wanting to be identified said that the changes as being incorporated would not only tighten the noose around habitual traffic offenders, but would act as a major deterrent.

As per the amendments incorporated dangerous driving, non-use of seat belts as well as driving without helmets for two-wheelers will also attract higher punishment.

As per initial details available in case of drunken driving, the increased fine will range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 and imprisonment from six months to four years.

The fine for using mobile phones while driving has been increased to Rs 500 for first offence and Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 for subsequent offences. The amendments also propose to provide clear definition of such instruments being used while driving.

The government has cleared four-fold increase in compensation to Rs 1 lakh in fatal accidents, and Rs 50,000 for grievous hurt in hit and run cases.

Giving details of the proposed fine on drunken driving, an official said in cases where alcohol level is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, it would not amount to an offence. However, if it is between 30-60 mg per 100 ml of blood, the proposed penalty would be six months of imprisonment and/or Rs 2,000 fine.

Officials said that in case the alcohol level is 60-150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty would be one year imprisonment and/or Rs 4,000. If the offence is repeated within three years, the penalty would go up to three years imprisonment and/or Rs 8,000. For those who are found heavily drunk with alcohol levels of over 150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty will be two years imprisonment and or Rs 5,000. Repeat offence within three years will attract a penalty of four years jail and fine of Rs 10,000 besides cancellation of licence.

In case a person is found driving under the influence of narcotic substances, he could be liable for six months imprisonment and/or fine of up to Rs 5,000. For repeat offences, the fine could go up to Rs 10,000 along with six month imprisonment and cancellation of licence.

The fine for jumping the red light has been proposed to be increased from Rs 100 to Rs 100-500 for first offence and from Rs 300 to Rs 300-1,500 for subsequent offences.

For over-speeding, it has been proposed to increase the fine from Rs 400 to Rs 400-1,000 for first offence, and from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000-5,000 for the second.

For dangerous driving, the fine has been raised to Rs 2,000-5,000 and/or imprisonment of two years in case of second offence. However, there is no change in the penalty for the first offence which is six months imprisonment and or fine of Rs 1,000.