Government To Fine Unsafe Automakers Rs. 100 Crores

The Central Government's new Road Safety Bill looks set to insure that cars and bikes plying on Indian roads in the near future will be as safe as humanly possible for the occupants.

The Government is proposing a strict fine of Rs. 100 crore on automakers and a compulsory recall for faulty designs and absence of necessary safety features.

Another proposal in the latest draft of the Road Safety Bill is the imposition of a fine of of up to Rs. 5,000 on individuals for the use of unauthorised components such as in fog lights, pressure horns, extra lights, roof-top carriers and metallic protectors.

Dealers and builders of vehicles with such illegal modifications can face fines of up to Rs. 1 lakh per vehicle for such offences. Besides, the component dealers would be fined up to Rs. 1 lakh for "selling non-approved critical safety components for vehicles".

Individual offences like driving with a fake driver's license will now see the offender fined Rs. 10,000 along with jail time of up to a year.

Allowing a minor to drive a vehicle will see the owner of said vehicle or the driver's guardian face stricter penalties of up to three years in jail and fine of up to Rs. 20,000, while the vehicle's registration certificate may also be cancelled.

The proposed provisions form part of the recommendations made by a panel of state transport ministers, set up by the Centre to frame stricter traffic and road safety rules.