Section 121: Signaling by the driver regarding his intentions to stop or take a left or right turn is mandatory. If he does not do so, the driver can be prosecuted.
I assume that the "Brake" lights and "Turn" signals are sufficient signals by the driver. Does this section also mean that the vehicle owners should ensure that all their lights / indicators are working? (I'm thinking about the trucks without tail lights on all major highways!)
Section 140: Where death or permanent disablement of any person has resulted from a road accident, the owner of the vehicle involved shall be liable to pay compensation in respect of such death or disablement irrespective of his/her fault. The compensation for death shall be Rs. 50,000/- and for permanent disablement Rs. 25,000/-.
In such claims, the claimant shall not be required to plead and establish that the death or permanent disablement was due to any wrongful act, neglect or default of the owner of the vehicle involved. The claim shall not be defeated by reason of any wrongful act, neglect or default of the person in respect of whose death or permanent disablement, the claim has been made. Besides the owner of the vehicle, the Insurance Company is also liable under this section.
This is really scary! If some jackass decides to walk in front of my car while showing the "magic hand" (the signal to stop) while I'm on a fast busy road, I end up compensating HIM / HER for it???
Section 182(a): Whoever alters the construction of the vehicle without prior approval of the competent authority shall be punishable with fine of Rs. 1,000/- for the first offence and with a fine of Rs. 5,000/- for any subsequent offence.
This can be misused by the cops to extort money... who defines what "altering the construction" means? If I upsize my tyres, add in a spoiler etc. etc. at what point would it be deemed that I have "altered the construction"?
Section 190: Punishment for violation of the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air pollution is fine amount upto Rs.1000/- for the first offence and Rs. 2000/- for the subsequent offence.
Spot PUC checks, I can understand, but what are the other standards? Do the cops have equipment to check and specifications to decide whether a given vehicle is "loud"?
A general opinion I have about the fines: They are ridiculously low!
Not that I'm loaded or anything such... but many of the fines for even serious offenses are cheaper than a tank of gas! What's the use of having such fines, they are not a deterrent at all ! ... and the "compensation" amounts are even worse! These may have been ok in 1970, but with the value of the rupee falling (and salarys rising), they are too low in the present times.
I think that the fines are quite useless... the offender should be forced to do "community service" instead. This would work as a deterrant especially well in India, where the high and mighty would not be caught dead doing "low" jobs like cleaning up their own paan stains or picking up the garbage they have thrown out their million$$$ rides.
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