New Delhi: Purveying records of road accidents in the city last year, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday demanded to know the steps being taken by the government to increase the fine amount for traffic offences.

A Bench of Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice H R Malhotra saw a direct connection between a steep hike in fine to Rs 1,000 from the current Rs 100 and a decrease in accidents. ‘‘We want to ensure you implement in a month’s time, the policy of increased fines as this is the first step in traffic reforms,’’ the Bench informed the counsel for Delhi government which had submitted that a total of 1981 fatal road accidents occurred in the city in 2006.

The counsel admitted that steeper fines could not be imposed unless an amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act was done by Union government. The Bench asked, ‘‘Why is the government not making the required amendments for the last 20 years?’’
The Bench was hearing the matter after taking suo motu cognizance of a TOI report drawing attention to the increase in fatal road accidents in the city. Already, ASG Gopal Subhramanium has been appointed amicus curiae in the case by the Bench.
He was given the task of coming out with a comprehensive policy to check road accidents and recently submitted a report to the court containing a set of recommendations. The ASG formulated the report after holding comprehensive discussions with the joint secretary, ministry of road transport.

The report lists common traffic offences including high speed, rash driving and drunk driving as the major reason for road accidents. Even the ASG had suggested that the fine for these offences and for jumping a red light signal should be substantially higher than the current amounts which are not a deterrent.

Source: TOI(Delhi-epaper)

Entry Filed under: Delhi Traffic News