There are mixed feelings about the newly amended MV Act, 2019. While some feel it is way too punitive, others believe this is imperative in view of serious violations by drivers. The new Act contains 63 provisions dealing with penalties, licenses, registration and the National Transport Policy, and has been in force since September 1, 2019 but Meghalaya only received the notification last week. Hence the Act is being enforced beginning this week. Essentially the new law will enhance penalties for various offences. It enables state governments to designate any person or agency for enforcement of the law and to detect and impose a penalty on overloaded vehicles.
What is positive about the Act is that it proposes the recall of defective vehicle parts by auto companies, hold builders accountable for poor quality infrastructure and make vehicle owners criminally liable for violations committed by juvenile drivers. Penalty for drunken driving has been hiked to 6 months imprisonment and/or Rs 10,000 fine for the first offence; two years imprisonment and/or fine of Rs 15,000 for second offence. Driving at night in Shillong is fraught with dangers due to drunken drivers. Penalty for racing and speeding has been increased to imprisonment of up to 1 month and/or fine up to Rs 500 for the first offence; imprisonment of up to 1 month and/or fine of up to Rs 10,000 for second offence. These too are common offences especially by those using two wheelers and modified vehicles.
A strict check will find many drivers without licenses hence it is legitimate that the fine for this is increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. The call for wearing seat belts is simply not adhered to. Many drivers wear seat belts only when they approach a traffic junction where cops are posted. After that they drive as they please. Now the fine for not wearing seat belt is increased from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000. Fine for speaking on a mobile phone while driving has now increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. The Government is sure to make a killing if this one law is implemented stringently because every single person in Shillong city speaks on mobile phones while driving.
Punishment for juveniles (driving without licenses) for offences will include Rs 25,000 and imprisonment up to 3 years and cancellation of registration of motor vehicle for 12 months. The juvenile will not be able to get a learners’ license until the age of 25 years. In Meghalaya, juveniles drive around in broad daylight and with their school uniforms on. Hopefully the new law will result in some disciplined driving.