[Sahil]

This is a welcome change however someone needs to seriously revamp our driving test systems. That is the root cause of several traffic violations and road accidents. Our driving tests are mere jokes, there needs to be much more stricter test norms and also certain minimum hours of driving lessons. For this the govt should invest in good simulators and encourage regulated driving schools to expand operations.

[joybhowmik]

Originally Posted by Sahil

This is a welcome change however someone needs to seriously revamp our driving test systems. That is the root cause of several traffic violations and road accidents. Our driving tests are mere jokes, there needs to be much more stricter test norms and also certain minimum hours of driving lessons. For this the govt should invest in good simulators and encourage regulated driving schools to expand operations.

IMHO, the other root cause behind this root cause, is that in any RTO office, agents outnumber the applicants. When agents keep dealing with the same clerks day-after-day, it is but natural for wink-wink-nod-nod relationships to foster. In our RTO in Delhi for example, for quite some time, licenses were given only if one's application came through an agent. The situation was so bad, that applicants coming through agents did not even need to take the exam!
So, the first thing that needs to be done here is to de-bar any agent from visiting the facility.

[black_rider]

Updated rules are welcome. But what about implementation? There is a serious lapse in that area. Hiked fines just empower traffic police to pocket more bribes. There needs to be a check put on that power. Shouldn't we have video recording for all proceedings, when people are pulled over, like in other countries? Will it lead to cleaner implementation of new/existing rules?

There is a dearth of manpower as well in enforcing teams. Traffic police have not been able to put a check on trucks without tail-lights or under-run protection bars, white smoke spewing autos. Do you think, they'll go after cycles without reflectors?

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

If we hit and do NOT run, this is NOT applicable? And is this amount given by the insurance company?

This is only for hit and run cases, as this payment is made from the Govt. (I think).

For other cases, there's other calculation formulas (eg. based on the person's salary, age, hospital bills etc!).

See "Methods of Calculation of Compensation" in this thread

Originally Posted by amit_purohit20

I am more worried about the misuse of these large fines, that means more money going in the pocket of traffic policemen.

I'm actually scared that only the same amount of money will go directly into policemen's pockets!!

The idea of a larger fine is to make the offender feel the pinch more. If the cops continue to take the same bribe money despite the fine going up 10x - then that will be a failure.

Originally Posted by sdp1975

Today I jumped a red light because of the chaotic traffic situation..
...
...
...
Just another way of earning revenues like road tax, nothing more really.

And if the fines are too steep, there will be people contesting it in court than paying up. And this will encourage more bribery with traffic cops as well. And when the truck driver pays a 3k fine, he's going to recover it by hiking his transportation rates - ie indirectly it will hit my and your pocket, and in inflation .

While the cynic will agree with your post, this is a typical chicken-and-egg situation. We need to start making changes somewhere.

Originally Posted by black_rider

Do you think, they'll go after cycles without reflectors?

That's the good part about that point -- (if approved) -- is that it will be done directly at the manufacturer level. The same way as cops don't really have to check if cars have rear view mirrors, they won't have to check if bicycles have reflective tape.

cya
R

[Miel]

But where are the motor enthusiast-friendly amendments?

How long before a minister takes pity on the plight of the car owner who has to have a hot, sweaty drive under the Indian sun even when the AC is on full blast - when are they going to make sun films, of the prescribed limits, legal?
The sun film companies' chief competitors are now the bath towel companies. It's sad to see people travelling in cars costing several lakhs, riding with their towels, shawls, blankets, and bed sheets covering the windows.

Also, will the law of holding the fellow with the bigger vehicle accountable for every accident, irrespective of the actual turn of events, continue? When is that going to change?

The only thing I see whenever an amendment happens is more money to the government coffer (or pockets). Nothing else! Who cares about the average tax paying consumer's happiness? None!

[Vikki@Hyderabad]

The need of the hour is education and strict monitoring more than anything else. An increase in fines is not going to help the government in any way, we all know that, don't we? Educating truck/bus/four-wheeler drivers about using dippers at night, especially on undivided highways but also in-city, lane driving etc. would be good starting points.

Auto-wallahs and two wheelers are probably the greatest menace in themselves, especially within city limits; in that, they are the masters of the road and can change directions at their will while controlling the speed of the vehicles following. Plus, mobile phone driving makes two wheelers all the more dangerous, not only to them but vehicles around them. And this is not limited to less educated people, no offence, but also the all-educated and all-knowing MNC employees who, while complaining about the state of the roads and corrupt police, see nothing harmful in wrong-way driving and breaking signals at will, especially here in Hyderabad.

And what about Mt. Everest-esque speed breakers on the road? Will the government do anything about that? On the one hand, people are forced to buy cars with lower ground clearance to avoid additional taxes, and on the other it feels like hell when your car scrapes its belly on these. Trust me, I know -- I own a Figo.

And if the government wants to collect more fines, they could do it by recruiting additional force. While other countries are looking to build high-speed roads/highways, we're going backwards by installing speed governors, breakers and speed of the vehicles. (Don't mean any offence to any patriots here).

And it looks like all the government can think about is passing a bill about hiking fines!

[kaushik_s]

It's funny to read the rants of people here regarding the hike of fines. First of all, why you guys are so worried? You will only be fined when you are going to break the rules. Why do you want to break the rules in the first place? Drive within the rules and limits i.e. under speed limit/no wrong turn/not driving in wrong direction etc and you would be safe. Safe from the law and safe for others on the road.
About the speed breakers, yes, it's a menace at times but what was the root cause of having speed breakers? They are here because most of the drivers on the road never follow the speed limits. I'm not saying that speed breakers are good thing but if everyone drives without breaking speed limits then we won't even need them. But will that situation ever come? I seriously doubt that, cause most of the drivers just ignore those speed limit boards, be it educated ones or others.

Yes, hiking fines only not going to change the attitude on the road completely but it's one those steps which might lead to more awareness. Along with these fines if the Govt can bring in some awareness program and cleansing of the licensing system, then it would be a welcome move.

[zenren]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Genuine question :: If we hit and do NOT run, this is NOT applicable? And is this amount given by the insurance company?

In case of hit and run of a pedestrian/cyclist, there are no insurance companies involved. So the government has to pay the compensation.

If it is hit without the run part, the offender vehicle's third party insurance would take care of the compensation and the rates would then be based on what the MACT orders on that specific case.

[Sheel]

I wish there is a rule for sticking reflective tapes on tractor trolleys as well as at the back of trucks.

While a truck maybe visible because of mass, tractor trolley isn't and they ruin it further by carrying TMT bars at night without any caution.

I just wish, something is done on those lines.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Rehaan

• Retro reflective tapes on bicycles have been suggested as standard to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) by the Ministry of Road Transport, in the hopes that all manufacturers will use these tapes.

• Free reflective tapes are already being provided for about 10 lakh bicycles by the Delhi Traffic Police along with International Road Federation (IRF). This project will soon be taken to other metros including Bangalore & Trivandrum.

What happened to the old rules of carrying lights on bicycles at night? 30 years ago, the Calcutta Traffic Police used to deflate tyres of bicycles that did not turn on their dynamos. Today, with excellent battery-operated LED lights available fairly cheaply, no one insists on installing them on bicycles.

Originally Posted by Rehaan

• The theme of this year’s Road Safety awareness is “When on road, always say Pehle Aap” [Translated: You first].

And 'Right of Way' must go out of the window, according to our legislators and enforcers! Just as an example, not a single motorist follows the 'right of way' rule at any roundabout in India - and how does one inculcate such education into Indian drivers?

Another example of how educated idiots have poor road manners is evident in front of schools, especially in Delhi (I won't comment about other cities) - triple parking, taking U-turns in little lanes, allowing kids to get out of the right side, honking continuously, sudden acceleration and braking to nose into a gap - we do make an extra effort to set a bad example for our children!

[apachelongbow]

What about jaywalkers? People listening to headphones and walking in a trance? Homeless people living on the street, their children running amok on the roads, what about illegal occupations of dividers, under flyovers, footpaths by homeless beggars?
What about people crossing the road right under a pedestrian over-bridge?
Who punishes these people or fines them, or jails them? If these folks cause accidents, should the driver/insurance pay 1 lac for a hit and run? I am sorry, such half baked policies coming from our esteemed government, will ensure more beggars putting a leg or an arm before a car to claim that 1 lac..
We can keep thinking more laws can help better traffic, or increase road sense, but this is plain stupid, why does not the government think for once of properly enforcing current rules, and try to make ways to 'prevent' corruption?

[sumathindra]

We have the law however enforcement was lacking all these days.

It's about time we embrace these changes to make our roads safer. The fear for the law and rules must be inculcated so that the coming generation will be a disciplined lot.

[Seventhgear]

We as Indians are used to the 'chaltha hain' attitude.We know that if we try to follow the rules then we will be the odd ones out.For eg.it has happened so many times that we stand at empty crossroads with the red signal on,but the guys behind us honk till end ,so that we move out of the way.Similarly we do find truckers/bikers,carts coming on the wrong side of the fourlane at full speed and we have to take preventive steps to avoid a collision. Doesnt make any sense getting into an argument as the topics veers to the topic as to who's 'baaps" etc etc. It just takes the joy out of driving on a well laid road and spoils the driving experience.

Not to forgot jaywalking in the cities,overloaded autos,lifestock.Driving is a nightmare in India.But we tend to come to our senses when we drive abroad.We do follow all the rules, follow the speed limits, drive in our lanes even stop honking because rules are enforced better over there.

I feel the first thing is law enforcement and then stricter fines.No body should be allowed to get away for any kind of offense.Secondly traffic education from younger age so that traffic sense is instilled from school itself while one is riding cycles.Habits that are formed early in age will remain when they grow up.
The concerned officials for traffic and municipal corporations can do their bit by ensuring rules are followed in terms of roads being used for vehicles and not thelas,animal sheds ,auto pickup drop.Lane demarcation with regards to speed should be ensured and the use of technology to improve traffic flow and implementation should be carried out.
A start should be made somewhere by the concerned authorities otherwise driving on our roads will continue to be a terrible nightmare in the years to come

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by kaushik_s

It's funny to read the rants of people here regarding the hike of fines. First of all, why you guys are so worried? You will only be fined when you are going to break the rules. .

Wow. Imaginary world?
Even in western countries, police have been caught with their pants down.
When the fines are increased, they did stuff like reducing amber duration to less than 3 seconds so as to catch more offenders
Results
1. More revenue for the county
2. More rear ending accidents
3. Finally, the case went to court, and they lost badly. Had to pay a fine also.

A long time back I was driving on the DND flyway, sticking around 80kmph. I got flagged down, and got handed a 400rs fine.
For doing 81kmph in 80 zone.

Even the manual of best radar/lidar detector says that 5% error is common. So this is like official thievery.

I have also been challaned for jumping a red light when I clearly did not do so, there were 3 seconds left on the green light counter when I crossed the stop line. Just into my right turn, a rickshaw guy jumped red light. I hit the brakes, and hence challan.

So if you expect police will fine you only when you do something wrong, you are living in an imaginary world
In India you are fined
1. If you are not part of an union (So a HR roadways bus will never be fined for doing 40kmph above speed limit. Kerala govt openly exempts KSRTC from overspeeding fines. Even govt owned vehicles are exempted
2. If you are not part of collection racket. Trucks pay hafta. This is their license to rule. The hafta cost is factored into the pricing of transport by transporters. So its us who actually pay hafta
3. If you are not "somebody". Barring a drive once every 50 centuries or so, have you ever seen a cop stop a red light car? In Delhi, you may still have a drive, in villages a red light vehicle is god.
4. If you are a soft target. Drive a normal sedan/hatch and have a normal salaried job. you are the target

All over India, traffic fines is a collection racket. Targets have to be met, and soft targets are the best.
Now fines are being increased to increase revenue. If they think this will make even 1% difference in fatalities, they are smoking something.
The buses and trucks will keep mowing down people. Trucks parked without lights in fog will keep claiming lives. Only difference. you will pay more to fund their coffers.

[ACM]

Increasing fines will only increase corruption among the traffic cops in Mumbai at least until a decent lot of them are sacked on being caught via a sting operation if and when it happens.

Children should not be permitted in front seats. Seat belts made compulsory for all occupants and helmet wearing for both driver and pillion in two wheelers should be enforced.

The proposed laws may be good but then there are already so many laws but they are just not enforced.