In a bid to tighten the noose around habitual traffic offenders, the government today approved five-fold increase in fines

under the Motor Vehicle Act, and subs tantial hike in compensation to accident victims. Under one of the proposed amendments, the government has cleared four-fold incre ase in compensation to Rs1 Lakh in fatal accidents, and Rs50,000 for grievous hu rts in hit and run cases. These changes will be incorporated in the Motor Vehicle Act through an amendment , which is likely to be introduced in forthcoming Parliament session. "The Union Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act for hars her punishments for offences like drunken driving and violation of traffic rules and also increased compensation in accident cases," an official said. He said the amendments are proposed mainly to deal with offendeRswho violate tra ffic rules repeatedly. In case of drunken driving, the fine will range from Rs2,000 to Rs10,000 and imp risonment from six months to four years. Giving details of the proposed fine on drunken driving, the official said in cas es where alcohol level is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, it would not amount to an o ffence. However, if it is between 30-60 mg per 100 ml of blood, the proposed penalty wou ld be six months of imprisonment and/or Rs2,000 fine. In case the alcohol level is 60-150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty would be one year imprisonment and/or Rs4,000. If the offence is repeated within three y ears, the penalty would go up to three yeaRsimprisonment and/or Rs8,000. For those who are found heavily drunk with alcohol levels of over 150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty will be two yeaRsimprisonment and or Rs5,000. Repeat o ffence within three year will attract a penalty of four yeaRsand fine of Rs10,00 0 besides cancellation of licence. In case a person is found driving under the influence of narcotic substances, he could be liable for six months imprisonment and/or fine of up to Rs5,000. For r epeat offences, the fine could go up to Rs10,000 along with six month imprisonme nt and cancellation of licence. Although the government has approved hike in the quantum of fine for repeat offe nces for those found driving under the influence of narcotic substances, the pun ishment has been reduced from existing two year to six months. The fine for jumping the red light, is also proposed to be increased from Rs100 to Rs100-500 for first offence and from Rs300 to Rs300-1,500. For over-speeding, it has been proposed to increased the fine from Rs400 to Rs40 0-1,000 for first offence, and from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000-5,000 for the second. For dangerous driving, the fine has been raised to Rs2,000-5,000 and or imprison ment of 2 yeaRsin case of second offence. However there is no change in the pena lty for the first offence which is six months imprisonment and or fine of Rs1,00 0. Besides increasing the fine for using mobile phones while driving to Rs500 for f

irst offence and Rs2,000-5,000 for subsequent instances, it also proposed to pro vide clear definition of such instruments. "Mobile phone is any application which can receive and transmit voice, text and picture...," as per the proposal. It means that not only talking on phone but sending text messages and using hand s free instruments for using mobile phone would be considered an offence. Noting that there are 1.4 million pending cases relating to third party insuranc e claims at different tribunals and courts, it has also been proposed to rationa lise the formula for tabulating compensation for road accident victims under thi rd party insurance. The amendments also proposes to provide more poweRsto states to limit and regula te contract carriage on city routes with prior permission of the Centre. The amendment also proposed delegating more poweRsto states for issuing driving licences, registration cards, fitness certificates, grant of permits and disposa l of appeals. It is also proposed to fix a time line for issuing of licenses, registration car ds, permits and fitness certificates.