Motorists in the city are in for a temporary respite as the government order, which would have affected a quantum leap in fine amounts for traffic violations, is not being implemented yet. Lack of clarity is causing delay in the implementation of the new GO.
For example while section 177 (11) of the GO 108 specifies that ‘Disobeying of the Traffic Signal' entails a maximum penalty of Rs. 200, Section 184 of the same stipulates a penalty of Rs. 1,000 for ‘Jumping Signal.' The violation mention in both these sections is the same and hence the confusion. Same is the case if you cannot produce registration certificate. While Section 177 (13) stipulates a maximum penalty of Rs.200, Section 192(1) levies a maximum penalty of Rs.5,000.
Also, the penalties specified by the new GO far exceed those outlined in Motor Vehicles Act (MV Act), which says the fine amounts should not exceed Rs.300.
According to the new GO violations such as wrong parking, driving while talking on cell phone and lack of insurance certificate would also attract a penalty of Rs.1,000, and if you refuse to stop the vehicle on being flagged down, one will have to shell out Rs.3,000.
The implementation of the GO is also delayed due to the poor condition of the traffic signals in the city. The lack of proper infrastructure such as stop line markings on the road and reliable signalling equipment is another cause for the non-implementation of the new rule hiking the penalties.
Asked to comment, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) C.V. Anand said that they sought clarifications on the GO. “There are few aspects that are not yet clear. We cannot implement it without these clarifications,” he maintained.
