Futile fines: On traffic violation penalties
Better enforcement and infrastructure are key to mitigating anger over higher road fines
The steep penalties for violation of road rules that came into force on September 1 under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 have produced a backlash, with several State governments opting to reduce the quantum of fines, or even to reject the new provisions. Gujarat has announced a substantial reduction in the fines, West Bengal has refused to adopt the higher penalties, Karnataka and Kerala are studying the prospects to make the provisions less stringent, and others are proceeding with caution. Motorists have reacted with outrage at the imposition of fines by the police, obviously upset at State governments pursuing enforcement without upgrading road infrastructure and making administrative arrangements for issue of transport documents. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated that it is left to the States to choose the quantum of fines, since it is their responsibility to bring about deterrence and protect the lives of citizens. Mr. Gadkari’s argument is valid, and the intent behind amending the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be faulted. After all, India has some of the deadliest roads in the world, and 1,47,913 people died in road accidents only during 2017. The question that has arisen is whether enhanced fines can radically change this record when other determinants, beginning with administrative reform, remain untouched.
The core of reform lies in Section 198(A) of the amended law, which requires any designated authority, contractor, consultant or concessionaire responsible for design or construction or maintenance of the safety standards of the road to meet those laid down by the Central government. This provision, which prescribes a penalty for a violation leading to death or disability, can be enforced through litigation by road users in all States. Since the standards are laid down, compliance should be ensured without waiting for a road accident to prove it. Until infrastructure meets legal requirements, fines and enforcement action are naturally liable to be challenged in courts; the condition of roads, traffic signals, signage and cautionary markings which affect motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, would all fall within its ambit. State governments also cannot escape responsibility for failing to reform their Regional Transport Authorities, since these offices are generally steeped in corruption. The Transport Ministry could well have made electronic delivery of RTO services mandatory, something that a lapsed UPA-era Bill promised. It should act on this now. Ultimately, ending the culture of impunity that allows government vehicles and VIPs to ignore road rules will encourage the average citizen to follow them. Mr. Gadkari should lose no time in forming the National Road Safety Board to recommend important changes to infrastructure and to enable professional accident investigation.
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Meanings of Words/Phrases in bold:
1.Futile(adj.:व्यर्थ)- incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
2.mitigating(adj.:कम करना)- having the effect of making something bad less severe, serious, or painful.
3.came into force(phrase)- if a new rule or law comes or enters into force, it starts to be used
4.backlash(noun:प्रतिक्रिया)- a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development.
5.quantum(noun:मात्रा)- a required or allowed amount, especially an amount of money legally payable in damages.
6.substantial(adj.:पर्याप्त)- of considerable importance, size, or worth.
7.prospects(noun:संभावना)- the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring.
8.stringent(adj.:कड़ी से कड़ी)- (of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting.
9.outrage(noun:उल्लंघन)- an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation.
10.administrative(adj.:प्रशासनिक)- relating to the running of a business, organization, etc.
11.reiterated(verb:बार बार दुहराना)- say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity.
12.bring about(phrasal verb)- to make something happen, especially to cause changes in a situation.
13.deterrence(noun:निवारण)- the action of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
14.intent(noun:इरादा)- intention or purpose.
15.deadliest(adj.:घातक)- causing or tending to cause death; fatal; lethal.
16.radically(adverb:मौलिक रूप से)- in a thorough or fundamental way; completely.
17.determinants(noun:निर्धारक तत्व)- a factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
18.core(noun:मूल)- the most important or most basic part of something
19.designated(verb:नामित)- officially give a specified status or name to.
20.concessionaire(noun:रियायत पाने वाला)- the holder of a concession or grant, especially for the use of land or commercial premises or for trading rights.
21.laid down(phrasal verb:निर्धारित)- to state officially what someone must do or how they must do it.
22.litigation(noun:मुकदमेबाज़ी)- the process of taking legal action.
23.compliance(noun:अनुपालन)- the action or fact of complying with a wish or command.
24.liable(adj.:उत्तरदायी)- responsible by law; legally answerable.
25.signage(noun:पहचानसूचक (मार्गों के पास लगे बोर्ड)- signs collectively, especially commercial or public display signs.
26.pedestrians(noun:पैदल यात्री)- a person walking rather than travelling in a vehicle.
27.ambit(noun:विस्तार,क्षेत्र,सीमा)- the range or limits of the influence of something.
28.steeped in(phrasal veb)- to make (someone) know and understand a lot about (something).
29.lapsed(adj.:कालातीत)- no longer valid; expired.
30.Ultimately(adverb:अंत में)- finally; in the end.
31.impunity(noun:दण्ड से मुक्ति, माफी)- exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
32.lose no time(phrase)- do a specified thing as soon as possible.
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