Drive safe or lose your licence: Govt rolls out points system for traffic offenders
is introducing a new, stricter system for managing
traffic violations
. This initiative aims to reduce road accidents and enforce stricter penalties for repeat offenders. A key part of the plan is the introduction of a
negative points system
for driving licences, which could lead to suspension or cancellation if a driver accumulates too many points. This system would be in addition to existing fines and penalties for violations such as speeding and jumping red lights.
#Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
India strikes hard! New Delhi bans all imports from Pakistan
How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response
If India attacks Pakistan, China & B'desh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide
A global approach to road safety
The proposed "demerit and merit" points system has been influenced by practices in countries like Australia, the UK, Germany, and Canada, where similar systems are already in place. According to an official, "While demerit points will be assigned for violation of traffic rules, merit points would be rewarded for good driver behaviour and to good samaritans." This new system is expected to be incorporated into the Motor Vehicles Act once it is amended in the coming months. It comes as part of a broader effort to overhaul India's
road safety measures
, which have been under scrutiny due to increasing traffic fatalities.
The need for stronger enforcement
Despite previous efforts, including the introduction of higher fines in 2019, road accidents and fatalities have continued to rise, with more than 1.7 lakh people losing their lives on the roads each year. Officials argue that the new penalty point system, which includes the potential for suspension or cancellation of driving licences, will act as a more effective deterrent. Enhanced technology will also play a role; with the rise of electronic monitoring, enforcement agencies will be able to track penalty points using handheld devices for real-time action.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Never Put Eggs In The Refrigerator. Here's Why...
Articles Stone
Undo
In 2011, a review of the Motor Vehicles Act, headed by former Road Transport Secretary S. Sunder, had suggested a penalty point system for drivers. The report recommended that drivers accumulating 12 penalty points within three years should face a one-year licence suspension, with repeat offenders having their licences cancelled for five years.
Mandatory tests and licence renewals
In addition to the points system, the government has proposed that drivers applying for licence renewal before their existing licences expire, and who have violated traffic rules, will be required to take a mandatory driving test. At present, such tests are not required for renewal applications made before the licence expiry.
Live Events
The Ministry also plans to introduce a new provision requiring learners to obtain licences for electric vehicles under 1,500 watts and with a maximum speed of 25 km/h. The government is also considering the introduction of graded eligibility for obtaining learners' licences.
Tackling unpaid E-challans
A further area of concern for the government is the low recovery rate for e-challans. As of now, only 40% of fines are paid. The new regulations will target drivers who fail to clear their fines. One proposed measure is to suspend a person's driving licence for three months if they have pending e-challans that are more than three months old. Similarly, three violations for red light jumping or dangerous driving within a year could lead to a three-month licence suspension.
The government is also exploring the idea of increasing insurance premiums for drivers with two unpaid fines from the previous year. To address concerns over technical issues or delayed notifications, officials are considering implementing a comprehensive procedure that ensures vehicle owners are alerted to pending fines.
Challan recovery: State-wise disparities
Currently, Delhi has the lowest rate of
e-challan recovery
, at just 14%, followed by Karnataka (21%) and Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (27%). In contrast, Maharashtra and Haryana report significantly higher recovery rates, at 62% and 76% respectively. The government aims to improve these figures by implementing stricter enforcement measures.
In Delhi, traffic police have received a significant upgrade with a 360-degree rotatable AI-powered radar interceptor designed to identify traffic violations like overspeeding, seatbelt violations, and mobile phone use while driving. The AI system, which features an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera, can track multiple vehicles simultaneously, measure their speed, and issue automated e-challans without human intervention. Integrated with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), this system ensures rapid enforcement of traffic laws.
These new measures, combining stricter penalties, technology, and greater accountability, are part of India's broader effort to curb the rising number of road accidents and improve road safety. With stakeholders like state government representatives, experts, and non-government organisations involved in the consultations, the plan aims to build a safer road network for all.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Delhi government seeks SC review of ELV ban, calls it unfair
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting a reconsideration of the ban on 'End-of-Life Vehicles' (ELVs). It argues that the policy unfairly impacts middle-class vehicle owners, especially in the absence of solid scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This comes in the wake of a 2018 Supreme Court ruling and a subsequent National Green Tribunal order that mandates the phase-out of petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in the NCR. Delhi government officials argued that these age-based standards overlook advancements in vehicle emissions technology, especially considering the April 2020 introduction of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards. The application filed by the government said, 'The roadworthiness of a vehicle is a technical and scientific issue that must be linked to actual emissions as tested and recorded by mechanisms set out under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, etc., as opposed to a blanket ban on the basis of age, which is unlinked to actual emissions.' The application notes that other nations, such as the European Union, Japan, and the United States of America, do not impose age-based bans and instead adopt a measured and sustainable approach that addresses both pollution and urban decongestion holistically. Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa mentioned that the government's review application emphasises the need for data-backed assessment, rather than broad limitation, on the actual emissions produced by each vehicle, regardless of its age. The government argued that the ban unfairly impacts owners of well-maintained vehicles, ignoring factors like usage, upkeep, and PUC compliance, the plea stated. The Delhi government's petition highlights that around 2.8 million BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles are registered in the city. It also stated that the current age-based ban could exclude compliant vehicles. It has further prayed that the Court direct the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to conduct a comprehensive scientific study on environmental benefits, the fairness of such a blanket ban, and if such a ban will improve the air quality in NCR.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Delhi Govt Seeks Supreme Court Review Of Age-Based Vehicle Ban
The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of the 'End-of-Life-Vehicles' (ELVs) ban. The government argues that it penalises middle-class vehicle owners without any scientific backing. It is to be noted that the government is required to phase out petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in the national capital region under a 2018 Supreme Court order and a National Green Tribunal follow-up. Delhi government officials argued that these age-based standards overlook advancements in vehicle emissions technology, especially considering the April 2020 introduction of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards. Also Read: Tata Waiting Period Extends Over 6 Months; Check Details As per Indian Express, the application filed by Rekha Gupta government said, "the road-worthiness of a vehicle is a technical and scientific issue that must be linked to actual emissions as tested and recorded by mechanisms as set out under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, etc., as opposed to blanket ban on the basis of age which is unlinked to actual emissions." Taking the argument further, Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa mentioned that the government's review application emphasizes the need for data-backed assessment, rather than broad limitation, on the actual emissions produced by each vehicle, regardless of its age. Additionally, the government argues that owners of properly maintained vehicles are unfairly affected by the ban, which is implemented without considering maintenance, usage patterns, or PUC compliance, according to the plea. The Delhi government's petition highlights that around 2.8 million BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles are registered in the city. It argues that the current age-based ban could exclude compliant vehicles and calls for a scientific analysis by the Commission for Air Quality Management to assess if these bans effectively improve air quality in Delhi-NCR. This comes after a campaign targeting a fuel ban for older cars faced public backlash and was halted due to operational challenges.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
‘Scientific study needed': Delhi government moves SC, seeks review of blanket ban on old vehicles
The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its order imposing a blanket ban on the plying of petrol vehicles aged above 15 years and diesel vehicles aged above 10 years of all categories across the National Capital Region (NCR). In its application dated July 25, the Rekha Gupta government has argued that 'the road-worthiness of a vehicle is a technical and scientific issue that must be linked to actual emissions as tested and recorded by mechanisms as set out under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, etc., as opposed to blanket ban on the basis of age which is unlinked to actual emissions'. The state said that the ban on the plying of the said vehicles in the last seven years, 'though undoubtedly salutary in aim was observed to have caused numerous practical hardships to the citizens of Delhi, which today, in light of the advancements in technology and enforcement now prima facie appear to outweigh the prudence and feasibility of continuance of the said ban'. The plea further urged the court to direct the Centre or the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) 'to carry out a suitable broad based, scientific study on the need for continuance of' the complete ban imposed by the Supreme Court's October 29, 2018, order. The Delhi government said that in its considered view, 'the significant improvements in Pollution Under Control (PUC) technology, increased coverage of PUC testing, stricter monitoring of emission standards, transitioning over to Bharat Stage VI engines and various other measures' that have been implemented since the Supreme Court order 'suitably address the concerns that impelled' the apex court to pass such a judgment. 'It is the view of the State Government that there is great need for a graded, balanced and technology driven regime to handle vehicular pollution and that instead of an age-based blanket ban, a scientific, data-driven framework should be developed that considers all relevant indicators to ascertain individual vehicular pollution, for example but not limited to: (i) Actual emission, (ii) Actual mileage, (iii) regular and period vehicle fitness tests and (iv) best available retrofitting options (CNG/electric conversions),' the application stated. The plea added that 'a balanced policy would ensure not only the protection of the environment through the phasing out of polluting vehicles, but would also preserve the rights of the responsible vehicle owners'. The government said the complete ban order 'was originally passed as an emergency measure during a period when Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) emission standards were in force and the migration to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI), which has much stricter and advanced norms, had not yet commenced.' It added, 'However, it is submitted that to tackle the issue of pollution in the NCR region, a comprehensive policy is required which gives vehicle fitness based on the actual emission levels of an individual vehicle as per scientific methods rather than implementing a blanket ban based on solely the age of the vehicle.' The government said that significant technological, legal, and environmental developments have taken place since 2018, which warrant a 're-examination of this decision' by an expert body to form a structured and graded plan to tackle pollution. The application further said that there are various sources of air pollution in Delhi, apart from vehicular pollution, and that vehicular emissions constitute only one of several sources of air pollution in Delhi NCR. 'Other significant contributors include: stubble burning, biomass burning, road and construction dust, industrial emissions, weather and meteorological factors. As per the Commission for Air Quality Management, the percentage contribution of the said sources to the air quality of Delhi varies significantly depending on the season,' the plea stated. The Delhi government said that CAQM in its 'Policy to Curb Air Pollution in the National Capital Region' adopted in July 2022 has stated, 'These studies show that there is considerable seasonal variation in the relative contribution of pollution sources between winter and simmer', and contended that 'thus…a scientific analysis, and cost benefit analysis of phasing out vehicles on the basis of age would be an appropriate approach'. The state said that since the issue of Delhi's air quality is not confined solely to the National Capital Territory but rather to the broader National Capital Region, it is respectfully submitted that 'it would be appropriate if suitable scientific studies on the feasibility, desirability and efficacy of continuing the said ban are carried out at the level of the Union of India or the Commission for Air Quality Management'. Ananthakrishnan G. is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express. He has been in the field for over 23 years, kicking off his journalism career as a freelancer in the late nineties with bylines in The Hindu. A graduate in law, he practised in the District judiciary in Kerala for about two years before switching to journalism. His first permanent assignment was with The Press Trust of India in Delhi where he was assigned to cover the lower courts and various commissions of inquiry. He reported from the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India during his first stint with The Indian Express in 2005-2006. Currently, in his second stint with The Indian Express, he reports from the Supreme Court and writes on topics related to law and the administration of justice. Legal reporting is his forte though he has extensive experience in political and community reporting too, having spent a decade as Kerala state correspondent, The Times of India and The Telegraph. He is a stickler for facts and has several impactful stories to his credit. ... Read More
