CLAIM
A viral image on social media claims that a new Motor Vehicle Act was passed on 11 March in Rajya Sabha. The image alleges that the increased fines are as follows:
Four Wheeler:
Without Belt Rs 1,000
Without Pollution Under Control (PUC) Rs 1,500
Without Insurance Rs 10,000
Without paper Rs 5,000 and impound
Without licence Rs 10,000 and vehicle impound
Mobile while driving Rs 5,000
Drunken Driving Rs 25,000
Several social media users have shared the image with the same claim. The image has been viral on Facebook since 2015.
The Quint received a query about the claim made by the video via its WhatsApp helpline.
TRUE OR FALSE?
The claims made in the viral image are false. The fine rates mentioned on the official website of Delhi Traffic Police are different and steeper in comparison to the ones mentioned in the viral image.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT?
The penalties mentioned in the viral image are not in coherence with the rates mentioned on the Delhi Traffic Police website. For example, in the viral post, fine for not wearing seat belt is Rs 1,000 but on Delhi Traffic Police’s website, it is Rs 100.
Similarly, for vehicles not having Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), the viral image claims that Rs 1,500 will be fined, while the Delhi Traffic Police website states that a fine of Rs 1,000 will be levied.
A Delhi Traffic Police official told The Quint that they had no knowledge of any such hike in penalties for traffic violations.
On 18 March, The Indian Express reported that The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which was approved by the Lok Sabha, failed to gather support in Rajya Sabha. The proposed bill had suggested increase in fine rate for different traffic violations by the commuters.
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