New Traffic Rules Face Flak Even From BJP Ruled States
Even as the Centre remains adamant about implementing the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, it has been facing flak from all quarters including the general public and political parties. Ironically, the state governments that are most opposed to the new traffic rules are currently helmed by the BJP.
A day after the Gujarat government announced a cut in fines on “humanitarian grounds”, Uttarkhand BJP government has also slashed penalties through amendments in the provisions of the act.
In the wake of several states implementing the act to scale back the penalties, other BJP ruled states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have also decided to follow suit. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has refused to toe the line. She said she will not implement the higher penalties, calling them “harsh". “We are not implementing the amended Motor Vehicle Act right now because our government officials are of the opinion that if we implement it, then it will be a huge burden on the people. It is very harsh," she said. Stressing on the need to save people’s lives, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said the idea is to reduce accidents and save as many lives by forcing stricter fines. The Minister pointed out that the number of deaths caused by road accidents is highest in India, with 1.5 lakh people losing their lives every year. “However, people's lives should be saved…the government does not intend to garner revenue by increasing fines. The idea is to make roads safer and reduce the number of accidents. Are fines more important than someone's life? You won't be fined if you don't break the rules," the minister said. According to a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 1,47,913 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2017, of which 16,971 people died in major cities.
In the wake of several states implementing the act to scale back the penalties, other BJP ruled states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have also decided to follow suit. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has refused to toe the line. She said she will not implement the higher penalties, calling them “harsh". “We are not implementing the amended Motor Vehicle Act right now because our government officials are of the opinion that if we implement it, then it will be a huge burden on the people. It is very harsh," she said. Stressing on the need to save people’s lives, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said the idea is to reduce accidents and save as many lives by forcing stricter fines. The Minister pointed out that the number of deaths caused by road accidents is highest in India, with 1.5 lakh people losing their lives every year. “However, people's lives should be saved…the government does not intend to garner revenue by increasing fines. The idea is to make roads safer and reduce the number of accidents. Are fines more important than someone's life? You won't be fined if you don't break the rules," the minister said. According to a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 1,47,913 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2017, of which 16,971 people died in major cities.
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