'Repeated violations to lead to driving licence cancellation'

The existing Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha in May 2012, proposes hefty penalties for traffic rule violations and drunken driving.  

Earlier in the day, Gadkari chaired a high-level meeting with ministry officials, Delhi Police and officials of other departments in the wake of Munde's death on June 3.  Gadkari said: “Black spots for accidents will be identified across the nation in coordination with state governments and other stakeholders.

“People don't respect law here. Henceforth, with the new Act, advanced CCTV cameras would be installed at all traffic signals and anyone violating the law will be issued a challan in 24 hours.”

The minister said all manufacturers of heavy vehicles such as trucks will be asked to make certain changes in the design of the vehicles to incorporate safety requirements.

Gadkari said data for driving licenses will be centralised to check misuse as often one person is found in possession of several licences.

Amendments to two more laws governing the transport sector - Carriage by Roads Act and Road Transport Corporation Act - will be made, he said.

In six months, public transport vehicles plying in all cities with over 10 lakh population will be fitted with advanced GPS tracking systems for the safety of women.

The bill in its current form provides hefty penalties - almost 10 times more than what traffic violators pay now - for offences such as over-speeding and drunken driving.

The bill seeks to raise compensation for death resulting from a hit-and-run accident to Rs 1 lakh and for injuries from such incidents to Rs 50,000.

Several provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, especially those related to penalties for violations, have not been found to be effective in checking road accidents. The last time the Act was amended was in 2001.