Karnataka Govt Reduces High Traffic Fines, Relief to Citizens

The Karnataka govt has reduced the high traffic fines introduced as per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Bengaluru traffic police have seized more than 1,156 modified motorcycle silencers in just three days, as part of a special drive.

(Photo Courtesy: Bengaluru Traffic Police)

The Karnataka government on Saturday reduced the high traffic fines introduced as per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 at the start of the month.

This was confirmed in a notification issued by the Transport Department specifying the new reduced fines for traffic violations.

Penalties for riders not wearing a helmet and seat belt was both reduced to Rs 500 from Rs 1000. The fine for driving without a license was reduced from Rs 5000 to Rs 1000 for two-wheelers and three-wheelers and Rs 2000 for 4-wheelers.

While there were a number of fines reduced in the notification issued by the Transport Department in the state, the fines for crimes like over-speeding, drunken driving and racing remained unchanged.

The fine for over-speeding (Rs 1000 to Rs 2000) also remains unchanged. The fines for racing and trials of speed under section 189 of the MV Act was retained at Rs 5000. There was also no revised fines specified under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, which lays down a penalty of Rs 10,000 for riders caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

The fine for driving without an insurance was reduced from Rs 2000 to Rs 1000 for two-wheelers. The same fine will be Rs 2000 for 4-wheelers and Rs 4000 for heavy goods vehicles.

The fine for allowing unauthorised persons to drive the vehicle has been reduced from Rs 5000 to Rs 1000 for two-wheelers, Rs 2000 for 4-wheelers and Rs 5000 for other vehicles.

The penalty for offences where no penalty is specifically provided was reduced from Rs 1500 to Rs 1000 for a second offence. The same fine however remains Rs 500 for the first offence.

The fine for Disobedience of orders of authority and refusal to share information was reduced from Rs 2000 to Rs 1000. This is specified under Section 179 (1) and (2) of the MV Act.

The traffic fines were revised after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa asked Transport Minister Laxman Savadi to reconsider the high fines which came into effect at the start of September.

While the high fines led to positives including more than 5 lakh people in the state obtaining their PUC certificates (emission certificates) for their vehicles in just two weeks, some fines have now been reduced to give relief to citizens. Karnataka followed Maharashtra and Gujarat in reducing the fines.

Incidentally, the high fines were approved by the BJP-led NDA government at the centre, and all three states now revising these fines to lower them are BJP-ruled. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 was passed by both the Houses of Parliament with three major amendments recently.

(The article was originally published in The News Minute and has been reposted with permission.)