Offenders can settle traffic challans at half penalty now
The Delhi Government on Wednesday rolled out a new provision allowing commuters to settle traffic fines at 50 per cent of the challan amount under specific sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. The initiative is aimed at boosting compliance and reducing prolonged legal disputes.
The government has authorised officers of the rank of head constable and above from the traffic police and the transport department as well as assistant traffic inspectors to compound traffic offences under some of the sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
‘Making it easy for citizens’
By rationalising the compounding fees and delegating compounding powers, we are making it easier for citizens to comply with traffic regulations while enhancing enforcement efforts. — Kailash Gahlot, Transport Minister
Under the provision, offenders have 90 days from the date of notification to settle existing challans at half the fine amount. For future violations, the grace period to settle challans remains 30 days. The move is part of a two-pronged strategy designed to ease the burden on courts.
The sections of the Motor Vehicles Act covered in the scheme include a wide range of traffic offences such as driving without a valid licence, allowing an unauthorised person to drive, dangerous driving, racing on public roads without permission and driving an uninsured or unregistered vehicle.
These offences fall under Sections 177, 178(1) or (2), 178(3)(a), 178(3)(b), 179(1) or (2), 180, 181, 182(1), 182(2), 182A(1), 182A(3), 182A(4), 182B, 183(i), 183(ii), 184, 186, 189, 190(2), 192(1), 192A, 194(1), 194(2), 194A, 194B (1) & (2), 194C, 194D, 194E, 194F (a) & (b), 196, and 198 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, “By rationalising the compounding fees and delegating compounding powers, we are making it easier for citizens to comply with traffic regulations while enhancing enforcement efforts. This will ensure smoother public transportation and help keep our roads safer and more organised.”
