Unpaid traffic penalties to be automatically deducted from bank accounts; license suspension, cancellation, and retest also suggested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The money will be taken from the vehicle owner's account if the challan amount for traffic violations is not paid continuously. The Central Motor Vehicle Act will be amended to include such provisions. The move is due to the increase in the number of people who have not paid the fine despite receiving notices.

The RC book will be linked to the bank account. When buying the vehicle, the vehicle owner will have to give an affidavit that the penalty amount for violation of Motor Vehicle laws can be collected from the bank. The Motor Vehicles Department can take steps, including confiscating the vehicle, in case there is no money in the bank.

The Central Motor Vehicles Department presented this at a meeting of state transport commissioners held in Delhi last week. The Central Government will amend the Motor Vehicles Act before March based on the suggestions made in the meeting. Some European countries levy fines in the same manner.

Fine must be paid within 45 days

• The fine must be paid within 45 days of receiving the challan for a traffic violation.
• If the challan was received without any traffic violation, it must be proved with evidence. The fine must be paid otherwise.
• The case will be transferred to the court after 90 days.

License should be suspended

Kerala suggested in the meeting that the license should be suspended first if a certain number of fines are not paid. The license should be cancelled if the violation of the law is repeated. Those whose license is suspended should pay the fine with interest and then attend the training of the Motor Vehicles Department. They will have to appear for the test once again for a new license.

'More stringent provisions will be introduced when the number of violators increases and fines are not paid''.

- C.H. Nagaraju, Transport Commissioner