Get Ready to Pay Hefty Fines If You Bump Traffic Rules

Bhubaneswar: The transport department is going to strictly implement the new amended provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act 1998 from 1st March 2020 in true spirit.

In a letter to the District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police, the Transport Commissioner has written for Enforcement of Road Safety Regulations in the State.

As the Government had allowed relaxation for six months to the road users to obtain documents, the same comes to an end on 29the February 2020. Hence from 1st March 2020, the amended provisions of M.V. Act. 1998 will be enforced in true spirit.

Strict enforcement will be implemented against dangerous life threatening road safety violations like (a) Drunken driving, (b) Driving at a speed exceeding the specified limit (over speeding), (c) Red light jumping, (d) Driving against flow of traffic, (e) Using mobile while driving, (f) Dangerous driving, (g) Triple riding on two wheeler, (h) Not wearing helmet, (i) Not wearing seat belt, and (j) Overloading.

During the period from September to December 2019, more than ten thousand drunken drivers were arrested by the Police. Also, during the same period, deaths due to road accidents reduced by 17 percent. Hence, emphasis will be on offences relating to drunken driving while conducting enforcement.

The letter also stresses to focus on underage driving and overcrowded vehicles carrying school children. It also says that while checking the documents and other offences in respect of vehicle users, it should be ensured that minimum inconvenience is caused to the public. At a time, maximum four vehicles should be detained so as to minimize the inconvenience to the public and ensure normal flow of traffic.