look news india
The Transport Department and the Traffic Police have taken a strict stance to prevent road accidents caused by reckless driving, speeding and constant disregard for traffic rules on the roads. Till now, for breaking traffic rules, drivers were let off only after paying financial penalty (e-challan), due to which many people did not hesitate to violate the rules again and again. To completely change this pattern, now on the lines of western countries ‘Penalty Demerit Points System’ is being brought down to earth strictly. Under this new system, there will be a fixed point quota on every driving license. As the driver violates traffic rules, negative points will be added to his license (or reserved points will be deducted). As soon as the prescribed maximum limit is crossed, the driving license of the concerned driver will be automatically suspended for a certain period or permanently cancelled.
According to the manual prepared by the Transport Department, violations of traffic rules are divided into different point slabs depending on their seriousness. The potential point arrangement for major violations is set out as follows:
-
Drunk Driving: Strictest action will be taken against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For this, 5 to 6 penalty points will be directly added and along with heavy fine, there may be a recommendation for confiscation of the license in the first instance.
-
Dangerous driving and overspeeding: 2 to 3 points will be deducted for driving above the prescribed speed limit.
-
Red light jumping and driving on the wrong side: 2 to 3 points will be deducted for breaking the signal or bringing a vehicle from the opposite direction in a one-way lane.
-
Mobile use while driving: There will be a deduction of 2 points for talking or messaging with the phone in hand while driving.
-
Without helmet/without seatbelt: If found without a helmet on a two-wheeler or without a seatbelt in a car, 1 to 2 demerit points will be recorded.
In this system, a block period of a fixed time frame (usually 2 to 3 years) is set. If any driver continuously violates the rules within this stipulated period, the total 12 penalty points touches this figure, his driving license will be canceled by the RTO with immediate effect. suspended for 1 year Will be done. After completion of the suspension period, the driver may have to undergo a repeat driving test or refresher road safety training. If even after this the driver does not improve his habits and crosses the penalty limit again, his license will be forever revoked, after which he may be declared ineligible for any new license.
To make this system completely transparent and corruption-free, it should be implemented by the Central Government. ‘Vahan & Sarathi’ portal more modern Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) Being connected to. AI-enabled high-definition CCTV cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at city intersections, expressways and highways will generate challans directly by scanning the vehicle number. Additionally, the negative points will be automatically updated in the driving license database of the registered owner or driver of the vehicle. The driver will be informed through SMS on his mobile about how many penalty points have been added to his account and how far away he is from license suspension.
According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, most fatal accidents occur due to habitual mistakes like overspeeding, signal jumping and drunk driving. By merely imposing financial penalty, people from the affluent class keep repeating the same mistakes by paying the fine. But when it comes to losing a driver’s license, losing the right to drive, and having a bad legal record, there will be a real fear among drivers about the rules and accountability.
After this strict rule comes into effect, drivers will need to be extra cautious on the road. Always follow lane discipline, pay attention to the speed limit boards on the road and slow down the speed of the vehicle before crossing the zebra. Also avoid unnecessary use of Bluetooth or hands-free devices while driving. From time to time, keep checking the status of your license and pending challan by visiting the Sarathi portal of the Transport Department or the official website of the Traffic Police, so that the mistakes can be rectified in time and your license can be kept safe.