GUWAHATI: As the new financial year commenced on Tuesday, April 1, stricter traffic regulations have taken effect, with authorities cautioning that failure to settle pending dues could result in severe consequences, including the confiscation of driving licenses, according to media reports.
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Under the updated rules, if e-challans remain unpaid for more than three months, the driver's license may be suspended for the same duration. Additionally, accumulating three challans for running a red light or reckless driving within a financial year could also lead to a three-month suspension, the report stated.
The government's decision stems from concerns over the low recovery rate of e-challan payments, with only 40 per cent of fines successfully collected. The report further noted that the government is considering increasing insurance premiums for vehicle owners who had at least two pending claims from the previous financial year.
To address cases where fines remain unpaid due to delayed notifications or administrative errors, the government is working on a standardised operating procedure. This will include setting minimum technical standards for traffic cameras and sending monthly alerts to vehicle owners regarding outstanding fines.
In terms of recovery rates, Delhi currently has the lowest at 14 per cent, followed by Karnataka at 21 per cent, while Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh both stand at 27 per cent. In contrast, Maharashtra and Haryana have the highest recovery rates at 62 per cent and 76 per cent, respectively.
Last week, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stressed the urgent need for road safety, highlighting that India records the highest number of road accidents globally. He stated the importance of following traffic regulations to prevent mishaps, saying, “Road safety is a critical concern for every citizen. Our country witnesses the highest number of road accidents, which is deeply worrying.”
Earlier, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed that India reported approximately 480,000 road accidents, resulting in 180,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 serious injuries. He pointed out that 140,000 of these fatalities occurred among individuals aged 18 to 45 years, with pedestrians and two-wheeler riders being particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, he highlighted that road accidents contribute to an economic loss equivalent to 3 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
