CABINET APPROVES AMENDMENTS IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACT [ GS 2 ]

The cabinet today approved the Motor vehicle(Amendment) bill 2016. The bill increases the penalty for drunken driving by five times and provides for a clause wherein the driver can be booked for a non bailable offense, if such driving results in death of another person. With the approval of the bill the government is set to bring about necessary reforms in the road and transport sector. Some of the significant provisions of the bill: * A significant aspect of the bill is to bring about e-governance in the transport sector and provide for minimum government but maximum governance * As per a proposed amendment in the Motor Vehicle Act people need to have a Aadhar number to apply for driving licence and they need not visit transport offices to get a learning driving licence as it will be online * The bill proposes an Aadhar based verification for grant of online services including learner’s licence. This to ensure the integrity of the online services and stop duplication * All India register of driving licenses and vehicles to prevent duplication of licenses and registration of stolen vehicles * To prevent juveniles from driving vehicles, the registration of vehicle that is in use will be cancelled. In case a juvenile commits accident while driving, family will be fined with or without imprisonment up to three years * Children above the age of four while riding on a two-wheeler should compulsory wear a protective headgear. Quality and standard of such a helmet should be strictly regulated * There will be a fine of 1000 rupees along with cancellation of license for three months for riding without a helmet. The same would apply in case of jumping a red light or driving without a seatbelt. * Talking on phone while driving will attract a penalty of 5000 rupees * The recommendations of the Parliamentary standing committee to remove the cap on third party liability of insurance firms has been incorporated in the proposed amendment • Once the bill is passed, vehicle dealers will be authorized to issue vehicle numbers and register them through a pan India registry * Under the provisions of the act the centre is empowered to recall such vehicles or components that do not meet standards Three major suggestions made by the parliament standing committtee that were rejected by the government include registration of vehicles by only Regional transport office(RTO) and inspection of vehicles by RTO.