Drunk driving and other traffic violations committed by juveniles are likely to attract huge penalties and imprisonment – even for their parents – as the states are recommending strict punishment for breach of traffic rules.
A group of state ministers, headed by Rajasthan Transport Minister Yunus Khan, on Friday unanimously agreed to framing strict penalties for offences such as driving by minors, crossing speed limits, drunk driving, talking over phone while driving and jumping traffic lights.
The group, in its recommendations submitted to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, also suggested that online learning licences henceforth, besides uniform forms for transport issues across the country and extending the time-frame for driving licences.
“We have recommended stricter penalties for traffic rule violations and bringing parents of juveniles too under penalty provisions. The amount of the penalty and punishment is yet to be fixed and will be done after a proper study of CrPC and IPC provisions,” Khan said, after the GoM’s first meeting.
After failing to push new road safety Bill in Parliament due to opposition from the states, the Centre constituted the group of ministers (GoM) for framing stricter traffic rules.
The next meeting of the GoM would be held in Bangalore on May 20, followed by a meeting to finalise proposals on June 10.
Gadkari said once the recommendations are finalised they would be sent to the Cabinet for approval and subsequently introduced in Parliament for passage.
The recommendations come close on heels of the Delhi Police arresting a Mercedes car owner, whose minor son allegedly knocked dead a 32-year-old man in the Civil Lines area on April 4.
The GoM unanimously agreed on a proposal that entailed spot registration of vehicles at dealers point, besides simplification of forms, Khan said. Also, it recommended fitting all public vehicles with GPS, camera, broad band and other such features without which vehicles would not be allowed to be registered.
“There would be special provisions to check over speeding and those violating it would be subjected to stricter penalties," Khan said.