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Motor Vehicles Act 1988
Written By sanjayv - 11 October, 2009
Traffic Bangalore Review vehicles Need Help Enforcement Act Participation
This is actually an all India article. I am posting it under Bangalore, Karnataka because this particular announcement is relevant to this state.
It appears that the Union Government is starting the process of reviewing the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. Suggestions for changes and amendments to the act have been invited. I quote the section verbatim from the full article found here..
"Those interested, including associations and organisations, may send their suggestions to the Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety, Government of Karnataka, 5th Floor, M.S. Building, Bangalore 560001 by October 31 by post, or by email to lotc-tran-ka@nic.in, cc todeepolice@hotmail.com and transcom@kar.nic.in."
Here are a few links.
Motor vehicles act 1988 (the legislation passed in parliament)
Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 (the detailed rules for implementing the act)
Notifications modifying some of the details
Are there a few folks who are willing to do a detailed review of the existing rules and sending in suggestions for modifications to the laws? I would have loved to coordinate something like this, but time is a huge constraint for me for the rest of the year.
COMMENTS

IDS - will you collate and forward comments?
sanjayv - 12 October, 2009 - 08:34
Great IDS.! Can you summarize your suggestions here in this thread?
Folks: It is importrant to have a vigorous debate here and push for the change you/we want. Granted, our suggestions may not make it to the final bill, but if we remain silent, then we cannot complain later that the RTOs are full of crooks or that the motor vehicle fine in cities is too small to be deterrent etc.
The channel is open - plug in and give a full throated roar.

Here are some things I would like to see
s_yajaman - 12 October, 2009 - 13:05
a. Shorter durations for licenses - max 5 years. At the end of 5 years should undergo a theory test once again to renew. Beyond 50 eye tests, hearing tests, BP, etc.
b. Stiffer fines - Rs.1000 for jumping lights, speeding, riding on pavements; Rs.10,000 for drunken driving + 1 month jail +confiscation of license and all other passengers get fined Rs.10000 each too. If another road user gets injured then 6 months in jail, if killed or grieviously injured 10years in jail.
c. Electronically limiting speeds to 100kmph for all cars at the manufacturer's side. If the speed limit on highways is 80kmph then there is really no reason for "having the freedom".
d. Insurance companies should be provided with the details of all offences. This is like the credit history concept. All insurance companies should be able to access databases and charge premia accordingly. If dues are not paid up, then no insurance. Onus is on the insurance company to comply.
e. HSR plates should be made mandatory for all cars. If someone wants to put a local language plate fine, but the Arabic/English plate should be compulsory.
f. All buses, autos to run on CNG in the next 5 years.
Srivathsa

Exponential fines, Medical already mandatory
Naveen - 12 October, 2009 - 15:19
There is one other suggestion - stiffer penalties for repeated offenders, with confisication of license over a certain limit. Say, someone jumps lights or drives rash repeatedly three times within a year (from date when offence was first committed) - he would have to pay, say 1,000rs the first time, 3,000rs the second time & 10,000rs the third time + lose his license for 3 months.
Such is already in force in many countries.
Beyond 50 eye tests, hearing tests, BP, etc.
I think a medical check-up is already necessary for those over 50 years & licenses are re-issued for only 5 years (for those past 50 years).

sanjayv - 12 October, 2009 - 17:19
Could the law be written such that the process of getting a license is absolutely transparent as well as rigorous? How can driving schools be regulated better using these laws? Just a few thoughts without any detailed back ground reading. Apologies for that,

Deadline for MV Act comments is actually 15th Oct ..
n - 14 October, 2009 - 21:10
.. (leaves a few hours as of this writing to get comments in) :-) Link is at http://www.morth.nic.in/index2.asp?langid=2&sublinkid=460. Was writing suggestions (referring the MoRTH site) and was going to collect from other praja too but happened upon the site. As time is short, sent my list of suggestions to emails on the site and the article (thanks sanjayv).
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