Law Commission Report No. 234- Legal Reforms to Combat Road Accidents.pdf

8/19/2019 Law Commission Report No. 234- Legal Reforms to Combat Road Accidents.pdf

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

LEGAL REFORMS TO COMBAT

ROAD ACCIDENTS

Report No. 234

August 200

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!RE"ORT NO. 234#

LEGAL REFORMS TO COMBAT

ROAD ACCIDENTS

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Co%%&ss&o* o+ I*'&, o* t(e 22*' ',1 o+ August 200.

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Dr. Justice AR.Lakshmanan(Former Judge, Supreme Court of

India),

C(,&r%,* L,- Co%%&ss&o* o+ I*'&,

ILI Building (IInd Floor Bhagwandas Road,

!e" Delhi # $$% %%$

Tel. 91-11-23384475Fa&. '$$$ # 233)35*4

D.+. !o. *(3$33,2%%)L- (L August 22/ 2%%'

Dear Dr 0eera11a oil i/

uect6 Legal Re7orms to -omat Road Accidents

I am 7or"arding here"ith the 234th Re1ort o7 the La" -ommissiono7 India on the ao8e suect.

2. India has one o7 the largest road net"orks in the "orld/ o7 3.3$4million kilometers/ consisting o7 !ational 9igh"as/ :&1ress"as/ tate9igh"as/ aor District Roads/ +ther District Roads and 0illageRoads. Aout *5 1er cent o7 7reight and )*.; 1er cent 1assenger tra77ic iscarried the roads. Roads are used not onl the motorihis crucial @uestion has eenengaging the attention o7 the La" -ommission o7 India 7or @uite sometime.

5. Dri8ing recklessl,dangerousl/ nonoser8ance o7 tra77ic rules/like crossing s1eed limit/ um1ing red light/ dri8ing "ithout dri8inglicence/ dri8ing untrained,dis@uali7ied dri8er/ dri8ing minor/

dri8ing under the in7luence o7 li@uor/ dri8ing "hile talking on moile/

*

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dri8ing "ithout helmet/ illhealth o7 8ehicle and ad road in7rastructureare amongst the causes o7 road accidents.

*. In 8ie" o7 the ao8e/ the La" -ommission 1re1ared a

-onsultation a1er on this im1ortant suect taken u1 suo motu/ "ith a8ie" to elicit 8ie"s,suggestions,comments 7rom all those concerned. It"as earlier thought that the -ommission "ould hold a seminar on thesuect/ ut this idea could not materialihe La" -ommission has recommended amendment in section3%4A o7 the Indian enal -ode to make the o77ence o7 rash and negligentdri8ing 1unishale "ith the ma&imum term o7 im1risonment o7 ten ears/

instead o7 t"o ears as at 1resent 1ro8ided. It has also eenrecommended that causing death o7 an 1erson through dri8ing under thein7luence o7 drink or drugs should e 1unishale "ith the minimum termo7 im1risonment o7 t"o ears. e ha8e also recommended 8arious other legal measures to comat road accidents.

). >his Re1ort is the last o7 the 33 Re1orts sumitted the $)th La"-ommission/ "hich is an un1recedented contriution on its 1art. I "ouldalso like to 1lace on record an e@uall un1aralleled outstanding

contriution made Dr Brahm A8tar Agra"al/ emerecretar/ in 1re1aration o7 these Re1orts.

ith "arm regards/

Cours sincerel/

(Dr AR. LakshmananDr . 0eera11a oil/nion inister o7 La" and Justice/Eo8ernment o7 India/hastri Bha"an/

!e" Delhi$$%%%$

;

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LEGAL REFORMS TO COMBAT ROAD ACCIDENTS

CONTNT! 11.

$. ers1ecti8e ' $2

2. resent la" in India $3 24

(i Indian enal -ode/ $)*%

(ii otor 0ehicles Act/ $'))

3. osition in 25 3$

4. re8ious Re1orts o7 the La" -ommission o7 India 32 35 and its recommendations

5. ending otor 0ehicles (Amendment Bill/ 2%%; 3* 4* *. ro1osed Road a7et and >ra77ic anagement 4; *3

Boards and !ational Road a7et olic

;. edestrians and !onmotorira77ic *4 ;* ). Recommendations ;; )2

)

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$. "erspe/t&e

$.$ India has one o7 the largest road net"orks in the "orld/ o7 3.3$4million kilometers/ consisting o7 !ational 9igh"as/ :&1ress"as/ tate

9igh"as/ aor District Roads/ +ther District Roads and 0illage

Roads. Aout *5 1er cent o7 7reight and )*.; 1er cent 1assenger tra77ic is

carried the roads.$ otor 8ehicle 1o1ulation has recorded signi7icant

gro"th o8er the ears. India had ;2.;$) million registered motor 8ehicles

at the end o7 the 7iscal ear 2%%3%4. -om1ound annual gro"th rate o7

the 8ehicle 1o1ulation et"een $'5$ and 2%%4 "as close to $$ 1er cent.

>"o"heelers and cars (1ersonalirans1ort olic recommended >hangara -ommittee3 htt16,,""".marutisu


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7oot1aths/ ccle tracks and tra77ic measures to check s1eed "here

motorihe total road length o7 India is aout $2 1er cent o7 the

total "orld road net"ork/ ut India=s 1ercentage in road inur is 5.4 1er

cent o7 the "orld total.5

$.5 According to the Indian :&1ress/ road accidents increased in the

countr 4.' 1er cent 7rom 2%%5 to 2%%* and 2% 1er cent o7 the road

accidents "ere 7atal # there "as one 7atalit 1er 4.4 road accidents. *

$.* A recent sur8e the -entral Road Research Institute re8eals that

more than '% 1edestrians 7eel unsa7e "hile crossing roads/ "hile the

com1rise more than 5% o7 road 8ictims.;

4 htt16,,""".do"ntoearth.org.in/ 8isited 23.%5.2%%)5 >he ioneer/ !e" Delhi/ 24.%3.2%%)* >he Indian :&1ress/ !e" Delhi/ 24.%4.2%%); >he >imes o7 India/ !e" Delhi/ 2;.%*.2%%)

$%

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$.; Is &t 'ue to :,/ o+ ,pt pro&s&o*s &* our :,- t(,t tr,e: t(roug(

I*'&,* ro,'s &s , tr1st -&t( De,t( T(&s /ru/&,: uest&o* (,s $ee*

e*g,g&*g t(e ,tte*t&o* o+ t(e L,- Co%%&ss&o* o+ I*'&, +or u&te

so%e t&%e.

$.) All the more so ecause des1ite the directions o7 the u1reme

-ourt gi8en to the olice and all other authorities entrusted "ith the

administration and en7orcement o7 the otor 0ehicles Act/ $')) and

generall "ith the control o7 the tra77ic) and the Delhi 9igh -ourt=s

+rder dated $%.%;.%; in (-rl );),2%%; (to e numered theRegistr in regard to tra77ic sa7et/ reckless dri8ing the lue line

uses on Delhi roads has not diminished.

$.' >he Na"#ha$at T%mes has re1orted that in the Annual ress

-on7erence o7 Delhi olice/ it "as re8ealed that )/2;% road accidents

"ere recorded in 2%%;/ in "hich 2/%5% 1ersons died. >here "ere 3;*

road accidents in8ol8ing lue line uses in "hich $$) 1ersons died. >he

notale 7eature "as that 3) 1er cent "ere hit and run cases "herein the

8ehicles in8ol8ed could not e traced. Another notale 7eature "as that

53 1er cent o7 the 1ersons "ho died in road accidents "ere 1edestrians

and 2) 1er cent "ere t"o"heeler dri8ers. 3.') million &hallans "ere

issued 7or 8arious tra77ic 8iolations/ 7or "hich Rs. ')% million "ere

reco8ered.'

$.$% Dri8ing recklessl,dangerousl/ nonoser8ance o7 tra77ic rules/

like crossing s1eed limit/ um1ing red light/ dri8ing "ithout dri8ing

licence/ dri8ing untrained,dis@uali7ied dri8er/ dri8ing minor/

dri8ing under the in7luence o7 li@uor/ dri8ing "hile talking on moile/

) '.C. 'ehta ". (n%on o) *nd%a AIR $'') - $'%' Na"#ha$at T%mes/ !e" Delhi/ %3.%$.2%%)

$$

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dri8ing "ithout helmet/ illhealth o7 8ehicle and ad road in7rastructure

are amongst the causes o7 road accidents. e ma also note the

7ollo"ing descri1tion o7 the chaotic conditions 1re8ailing on Indian

roads/ in the "ords o7 9on=le r. Justice 0. R. rishna Ier6

ore 1eo1le die o7 road accidents than most diseases/ so muchso the Indian high"as are among the to1 killers o7 the countrK.

arking o7 hea8 8ehicles on the "rong side/ hurring 1ast tra77icsignals on the sl/ neglecting to kee1 to the le7t o7 the road/ dri8ing8ehicles crisscross/ riding scooters "ithout helmets and "ith"hole 7amilies on 1illions/ thoughtless ccling and 1edestrian ga

"alking "ith la"less ease/ su77ocating am1acking o7 stagecarriages and helldri8ing o7 miniuses/ o8erloading o7 trucks"ith 1erilous 1roections and/ ao8e all/ 1olicemen/ i7 an/ 1ro8ing

hel1less 1resence that la" is dead in this milieu charged "ithmelee # such is the dail/ hourl scene o7 summons Death toinnocent 1ersons "ho take to the roads/ elie8ing in the ona 7ideso7 the tra77ic la"s.$%

$.$$ In 8ie" o7 the ao8e/ the La" -ommission 1re1ared a

-onsultation a1er on this im1ortant suect taken u1 suo motu/ "ith a

8ie" to elicit 8ie"s,suggestions,comments 7rom all those concerned. >he

recommendations in this Re1ort ha8e een made a7ter taking into

consideration the res1onses recei8ed.

2. "rese*t :,- &* I*'&,

(i I*'&,* "e*,: Co'e 560

2.$ >he Indian enal -ode (I- 1ro8ides the general 1enal code o7

India/ im1liedl assuming the 1ossiilit o7 e&istence o7 s1ecial statutes

de7ining o77ences and 1rescriing 1unishments there7or/ 7or e&am1le/ the

otor 0ehicles Act/ $')) in the 1resent conte&t.

$% Rattan !%ngh ". !tate o) +una# ($';' 4 -- ;$'

$2

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2.2 ections 2;'/ 3%4A/ 33*/ 33;/ 33)/ I- are rele8ant and

re1roduced elo"6

ection 2;'. Rash d$%"%ng o$ $%d%ng on a u#l%& wa. hoe8er dri8es an 8ehicle/ or rides/ on an 1ulic "a in a manner so rashor negligent as to endanger human li7e/ or to e likel to cause hurtor inur to an other 1erson/ shall e 1unished "ith im1risonmento7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma e&tend to si& months/ or "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to one thousand ru1ees/ or "ith oth.

ection 3%4A. Caus%ng death # negl%gen&e. hoe8er causes the

death o7 an 1erson doing an rash or negligent act notamounting to cul1ale homicide/ shall e 1unished "ithim1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma e&tend tot"o ears/ or "ith 7ine/ or "ith oth.

ection 33*. /&t endange$%ng l%)e o$ e$sonal sa)et o) othe$s.hoe8er does an act so rashl or negligentl as to endanger human li7e or the 1ersonal sa7et o7 others/ shall e 1unished "ithim1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma e&tend tothree months/ or "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to t"o hundred and7i7t ru1ees/ or "ith oth.

ection 33;. Caus%ng hu$t # a&t endange$%ng l%)e o$ e$sonal sa)et o) othe$s. hoe8er causes hurt to an 1erson doing anact so rashl or negligentl as to endanger human li7e/ or the

1ersonal sa7et o7 others/ shall e 1unished "ith im1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma e&tend to si& months/ or

"ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to 7i8e hundred ru1ees/ or "ith oth.

ection 33). Caus%ng g$%e"ous hu$t # a&t endange$%ng l%)e o$ e$sonal sa)et o) othe$s. hoe8er causes grie8ous hurt to an 1erson doing an act so rashl or negligentl as to endanger human li7e/ or the 1ersonal sa7et o7 others/ shall e 1unished "ithim1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma e&tend tot"o ears/ or "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to one thousand ru1ees/

or "ith oth.

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2.3 Rash or negligent act is an ingredient in all the ao8e sections. A

rash act is 1rimaril an o8erhast act/ o11osed to a delierate act/ ut it

also includes an act "hich/ though it ma e said to e delierate/ is et

done "ithout due delieration and caution. In rashness/ the criminalit

lies in running the risk o7 doing an act "ith recklessness or indi77erence

to conse@uences. !egligence means reach o7 dut caused omission

to do something "hich a reasonale man guided those considerations

"hich ordinaril regulate conduct o7 human a77airs "ould do or doing

something "hich a 1rudent or reasonale man "ould not do. -ul1ale

negligence is acting "ithout consciousness that illegal or mischie8ouse77ects "ill 7ollo"/ ut in circumstances "hich sho" that the actor has

not e&ercised the caution incument on him/ and that i7 he had/ he "ould

ha8e had the consciousness. Eenerall/ in the case o7 rashness/ the guilt

1erson does an act and reaks a 1ositi8e dutH in the case o7 negligence/

he does not do an act "hich he "as ound to do/ ecause he ad8erts not

to it. GRashness= con8es the idea o7 recklessness or the doing o7 an act

"ithout due considerationH Gnegligence= connotes "ant o7 1ro1er care or

the standard o7 conduct "hich a reasonal 1rudent 1erson "ould

e&ercise in a similar situation.

2.4 >o e guilt o7 an o77ence under section 2;'/ I- the accused must

dri8e a 8ehicle in such a rash or negligent manner as to endanger human

li7e or to e likel to cause hurt or inur to an other 1erson. Dri8ing at a

high s1eed or nonsounding o7 horn itsel7 does not mean that the

dri8er is rash or negligent. lace/ time/ tra77ic and cro"d are im1ortant

7actors to determine rashness or negligence.

2.5 ection 3%4A/ "hich "as inserted in the I- Act 25 o7 $);%/

1ostulates a rash and negligent act entailing death o7 another. >he

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1ro8isions o7 this section a11l to cases "here there is no intention to

cause death/ and no kno"ledge that the act done in all 1roailit "ould

cause deathH it should not amount to cul1ale homicide. ection 3%4A is

directed at o77ences outside the range o7 sections 2'' and 3%%/ I-.$$

ection 2;' co8ers onl those cases "hich relate to dri8ing on 1ulic

"a endangering human li7e/ "hile o77ence under section 3%4A e&tends

to an rash or negligent act 7alling short o7 cul1ale homicide.

2.* Rash and negligent acts "hich endanger human li7e/ or the

1ersonal sa7et o7 others/ are 1unishale under section 33* e8en thoughno harm 7ollo"s/ and are additionall 1unishale under sections 33; and

33) i7 the cause hurt/ or grie8ous hurt. :lement o7 8olition or intention

is 7oreign to the set o7 o77ences under sections 33* to 33)/ I-. +77ences

de7ined these sections as "ell as section 2;' are minor o77ences in

com1arison "ith the o77ence under section 3%4A "here death is caused

a rash or negligent act.

2.; Recentl/ the u1reme -ourt has oser8ed that i7 a 1erson

"ill7ull dri8es a motor 8ehicle into the midst o7 a cro"d and there

causes death to some 1erson/ it "ill not e a case o7 mere rash and

negligent dri8ing and the act "ould amount to cul1ale homicide. $2

2.) Dealing "ith sentencing o7 a con8ict 7or o77ences under sections

2;' and 3%4A/ I-/ the u1reme -ourt in 0al#%$ !%ngh ". !tate o)

a$ana$3 held6

hen automoiles ha8e ecome death tra1s an lenienc sho"nto dri8ers "ho are 7ound guilt o7 rash dri8ing "ould e at the risk

$$ Na$esh %$% ". !tate o) '.+. 2%%;($3 -AL: ; $2>he >imes o7 India/ !e" Delhi/ $4.$$.2%%; $3 (2%%% 5 -- )2

$5

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o7 7urther escalation o7 road accidents. All those "ho are manningthe steering o7 automoiles/ 1articularl 1ro7essional dri8ers/ must

e ke1t under constant reminders o7 their dut to ado1t utmost careand also o7 the conse@uences e7alling them in cases o7

dereliction. +ne o7 the most e77ecti8e "as o7 kee1ing suchdri8ers under mental 8igil is to maintain a deterrent element in thesentencing s1here. An latitude sho"n to them in that s1here"ould tem1t them to make dri8ing 7ri8olous and a 7rolic.

K

$3. Bearing in mind the gallo1ing trend in road accidents in Indiaand the de8astating conse@uences 8isiting the 8ictims and their 7amilies/ criminal courts cannot treat the nature o7 the o77ence

under ection 3%4A I- as attracting the ene8olent 1ro8isions o7 ection 4 o7 the roation o7 +77enders Act. hile consideringthe @uantum o7 sentence to e im1osed 7or the o77ence o7 causingdeath rash or negligent dri8ing o7 automoiles/ one o7 the 1rimeconsiderations should e deterrence. A 1ro7essional dri8er 1edalsthe accelerator o7 the automoile almost throughout his "orkinghours. 9e must constantl in7orm himsel7 that he cannot a77ord toha8e a single moment o7 la&it or inattenti8eness "hen his leg ison the 1edal o7 a 8ehicle in locomotion. 9e cannot and should not

take a chance thinking that a rash dri8ing need not necessarilcause an accidentH or e8en i7 an accident occurs it need notnecessaril result in the death o7 an human eingH or e8en i7 suchdeath ensues he might not e con8icted o7 the o77enceH and lastl/that e8en i7 he is con8icted he "ould e dealt "ith lenientl thecourt. 9e must al"as kee1 in his mind the 7ear 1sche that i7 heis con8icted o7 the o77ence 7or causing death o7 a human eing dueto his callous dri8ing o7 the 8ehicle he cannot esca1e 7rom a ailsentence. >his is the role "hich the courts can 1la/ 1articularl at

the le8el o7 trial courts/ 7or lessening the high rate o7 motor accidents due to callous dri8ing o7 automoiles.

2.' In Rattan !%ngh ". !tate o) +una#$4 , the u1reme -ourt had held6

5. !e8ertheless/ sentencing must ha8e a 1olic o7 correction.>his dri8er/ i7 he has to ecome a good dri8er/ must ha8e a etter training in tra77ic la"s and moral res1onsiilit/ "ith s1ecial

re7erence to the 1otential inur to human li7e and lim.$4 !u$a note $%

$*

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unishment in this area must/ there7ore/ e accom1anied thesecom1onents. >he tate/ "e ho1e/ "ill attach a course 7or etter dri8ing together "ith a li8elier sense o7 res1onsiilit/ "hen the

1unishment is 7or dri8ing o77ences.

2.$% 0er recentl/ the u1reme -ourt u1held the sentence o7

im1risonment a"arded to the dri8er o7 a us con8icted 7or o77ences under

sections 2;' and 3%4A/ I-/ 7ollo"ing the ao8e dicta.$5

(ii Motor Ve(&/:es A/t 55

2.$$ >he otor 0ehicles Act/ $')) (0Act is the 1rinci1al

instrument 7or regulating motor 8ehicles. -ha1ter II relates to licensing

o7 dri8ers o7 motor 8ehicles/ "herein section $' con7ers 1o"er on the

licensing authorit to dis@uali7 an 1erson 7rom holding a dri8ing

licence or re8oke such licence/ i7 he

(a is a haitual criminal or a haitual drunkardH or

( is a haitual addict to an narcotic drug or 1schotro1ic

sustanceH or

(c is using or has used a motor 8ehicle in the commission o7 a

cogni


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(7 has committed an such act "hich is likel to cause nuisance

or danger to the 1ulic/ as ma e 1rescried the -entral

Eo8ernment/ ha8ing regard to the oects o7 this ActH or

(g has 7ailed to sumit to/ or has not 1assed/ the tests re7erred to

in the 1ro8iso to susection (3 o7 ection 22H or

(h eing a 1erson under the age o7 eighteen ears "ho has een

granted a learner=s licence or a dri8ing licence "ith the

consent in "riting o7 the 1erson ha8ing the care o7 the holder

o7 the licence and has ceased to e in such care.

2.$2 e ma no" note the 1ro8isions o7 sections 2% to 23 o7 the

0Act/ e&tracts "hereo7 are re1roduced elo"6

ection 2%. +owe$ o) Cou$t to d%sual%). ($ here a 1erson iscon8icted o7 an o77ence under this Act or o7 an o77ence in thecommission o7 "hich a motor 8ehicle "as used/ the -ourt "hich such 1erson is con8icted ma/ suect to the 1ro8isions o7 this Act/ in addition to im1osing an other 1unishment authori


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(3 A -ourt shall/ unless 7or s1ecial reasons to e recorded in"riting it thinks 7it to order other"ise/ order thedis@uali7ication o7 a 1erson/

(a "ho ha8ing een con8icted o7 an o77ence 1unishaleunder section $)4 is again con8icted o7 an o77ence 1unishale under that sectionH

( "ho is con8icted o7 an o77ence 1unishale under section $)'H or

(c "ho is con8icted o7 an o77ence 1unishale under section $'26

ro8ided that the 1eriod o7 dis@uali7ication shall not e&ceed/in the case re7erred to in clause (a/ 7i8e ears/ or in the case

re7erred to in clause (/ t"o ears or/ in the case re7erred to inclause (c/ one ear.

(4 A -ourt ordering the dis@uali7ication o7 a 1erson con8icted o7 an o77ence 1unishale under section $)4 ma direct that such

1erson shall/ "hether he has 1re8iousl 1assed the test o7 com1etence to dri8e as re7erred to in susection (3 o7 section ' or not/ remain dis@uali7ied until he has suse@uentto the making o7 the order o7 dis@uali7ication 1assed that test

to the satis7action o7 the licensing authorit.

K.

ection 2$. !usens%on o) d$%"%ng l%&en&e %n &e$ta%n &ases. ($here/ in relation to a 1erson "ho had een 1re8iousl con8ictedo7 an o77ence 1unishale under section $)4/ a case is registered a 1olice o77icer on the allegation that such 1erson has/ suchdangerous dri8ing as is re7erred to in the said section $)4/ o7 anclass or descri1tion o7 motor 8ehicle caused the death o7/ or

grie8ous hurt to/ one or more 1ersons/ the dri8ing licence held such 1erson shall in relation to such class or descri1tion o7 motor 8ehicle ecome sus1ended/

(a 7or a 1eriod o7 si& months 7rom the date on "hich thecase is registeredH or

( i7 such 1erson is discharged or ac@uitted e7ore thee&1ir o7 the 1eriod a7oresaid/ until such discharge or ac@uittal/ as the case ma e.

K.

ection 22. !usens%on o$ &an&ellat%on o) d$%"%ng l%&en&e on&on"%&t%on. ($ ithout 1reudice to the 1ro8isions o7 susection

$'

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(3 o7 section 2%/ "here a 1erson/ re7erred to in susection ($ o7 section 2$/ is con8icted o7 an o77ence o7 causing/ suchdangerous dri8ing as is re7erred to in section $)4 o7 an class or descri1tion o7 motor 8ehicle/ the death o7/ or grie8ous hurt to/ one

or more 1ersons/ the -ourt "hich such 1erson is con8icted macancel/ or sus1end/ 7or such 1eriod as it ma think 7it/ the dri8inglicence held such 1erson in so 7ar as it relates to that class or descri1tion o7 motor 8ehicle.

(2 ithout 1reudice to the 1ro8isions o7 susection (2 o7 section 2%/ i7 a 1erson/ ha8ing een 1re8iousl con8icted o7 ano77ence 1unishale under section $)5/ is again con8icted o7 ano77ence 1unishale under that section/ the -ourt/ making suchsuse@uent con8iction/ shall/ order/ cancel the dri8ing licence

held such 1erson.K.

ection 23. ))e&t o) d%sual%)%&at%on o$de$ . ($ A 1erson inres1ect o7 "hom an dis@uali7ication order is made under section$' or section 2% shall e dearred to the e&tent and 7or the 1eriods1eci7ied in such order 7rom holding or otaining a dri8ing licenceand the dri8ing licence/ i7 an/ held such 1erson at the date o7 the order shall cease to e e77ecti8e to such e&tent and during such

1eriod.K.

2.$3 -ha1ter 0III o7 the 0Act deals "ith the control o7 tra77ic.

ection $$2 1ertains to limits o7 s1eed and 1rohiits dri8ing o7 a motor

8ehicle or it eing allo"ed to e dri8en in an 1ulic 1lace at a s1eed

e&ceeding the ma&imum 1ermissile s1eed. Rule $$) o7 the -entralotor 0ehicles Rules/ $')' 1ro8ides 7or noti7ied trans1ort 8ehicles to e

7itted "ith a s1eed go8ernor in such a manner that the s1eed go8ernor

can e sealed "ith an o77icial seal in such a "a that it cannot e

remo8ed or tam1ered "ith "ithout the seal eing roken.$* ection $$3

$* >he arnataka 9igh -ourt has 8er recentl directed the tate Eo8ernment to

ensure that no ne" 1ulic trans1ort 8ehicles shall e registered in the tate unless theare 7itted "ith s1eed go8ernors and ga8e three months to o"ners to 7it all old 8ehicles

("hich ha8e alread een registered "ith s1eed go8ernors ("%de >he 9indu/ !e"

Delhi/ %$.%;.2%%).

2%

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1ro8ides 7or limits o7 "eight and limitations on use. ection $$) con7ers

1o"er on the -entral Eo8ernment to make regulations 7or the dri8ing o7

motor 8ehicles. Accordingl/ the Rules o7 the Road Regulations/ $')'

ha8e een made. ection $$' 1ro8ides 7or the dut to oe tra77ic signs.

ection $2' 1ro8ides 7or the "earing o7 helmets. 0arious other

1ro8isions are contained in -ha1ter 0III 7or regulation o7 tra77ic.

2.$4 >he Rules o7 the Road Regulations/ $')' contain detailed

1ro8isions regulating dri8ing o7 motor 8ehicles/ like kee1ing le7t/

o8ertaking 1rohiited/ caution at road unction/ right o7 "a to 1edestrians/ signals to e gi8en dri8ers/ 1arking/ 8isiilit o7 lam1s

and registration marks/ lane dri8ing/ res1ecting sto1 sign on road sur7ace/

distance 7rom 8ehicles in 7ront/ no aru1t rake e&ce1t 7or sa7et reasons/

no 1roection o7 loads/ noncarriage o7 dangerous sustances on an

1ulic ser8ice 8ehicle/ restriction on dri8ing ack"ards/ carring o7

documents/ 8i


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ection $)4. 0$%"%ng dange$ousl. hoe8er dri8es a motor 8ehicle at a s1eed or in a manner "hich is dangerous to the 1ulic/ha8ing regard to all the circumstances o7 the case including the

nature/ condition and use o7 the 1lace "here the 8ehicle is dri8enand the amount o7 tra77ic "hich actuall is at the time or "hichmight reasonal e e&1ected to e in the 1lace/ shall e

1unishale 7or the 7irst o77ence "ith im1risonment 7or a term"hich ma e&tend to si& months or "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend toone thousand ru1ees/ and 7or an second or suse@uent o77ence/ i7 committed "ithin three ears o7 the commission o7 a 1re8ioussimilar o77ence/ "ith im1risonment 7or a term "hich ma e&tend tot"o ears/ or "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to t"o thousand ru1ees/

or "ith oth.

ection $)5. 0$%"%ng # a d$unen e$son o$ # a e$son unde$ the %n)luen&e o) d$ugs. hoe8er/ "hile dri8ing/ or attem1ting todri8e/ a motor 8ehicle/

(a has/ in his lood/ alcohol e&ceeding 3% mg. 1er $%%ml. o7 lood detected in a test a reath anal


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in a manner "hich ma endanger human li7e or is likel to cause hurt or

inur to an other 1erson. >he la" casts a dut on e8er user o7 the road

or 1ulic "a to e&ercise due care and caution "hile dri8ing a motor

8ehicle. >he amount o7 care and caution re@uired to e e&ercised a

dri8er "hile dri8ing on a 1ulic "a "ould/ o7 course/ de1end u1on the

situation and circumstances in "hich he is dri8ing. >he doctrine o7

contriutor negligence has no a11lication in criminal la". -ontriutor

negligence ma e a 7actor 7or consideration in determining the sentence/

ut it is not a de7ence entitling the accused to an ac@uittal.

2.$; -ertain other 1ro8isions o7 -ha1ter MIII 1ro8iding 1unishments

are6 section $)%6 allo"ing unauthori


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it has een or is eing used in contra8ention o7 the s1eci7ied 1ro8isions/

1osing a serious threat to the 1ulic.

2.$) e ma also note section )B o7 the !ational 9igh"as Act/ $'5*/

"hich 1ro8ides that "hoe8er commits mischie7 doing an act "hich

renders or "hich he kno"s to e likel to render a national high"a in

relation to "hose de8elo1ment and maintenance there is an agreement/

im1assale or less sa7e 7or tra8elling or con8eing 1ro1ert/ shall e

1unished "ith im1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma

e&tend to 7i8e ears/ or "ith a 7ine/ or "ith oth.

3. "os&t&o* &* )=

3.$ >he 1rinci1al enactments relating to road tra77ic are the Road

>ra77ic Act $')) and the Road >ra77ic +77enders Act $')) (oth asamended and e&tended the Road >ra77ic Act $''$/ the Road >ra77ic

(-onse@uential ro8isions Act/ $')) and the Road a7et Act 2%%*.

!othing in these Acts authori


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and registration o7 all road 8ehicles and the o1eration and s1ecial

licensing o7 goods 8ehicles and 1assenger 8ehicles. >here is also

legislation containing 1o"ers 7or controlling tra77ic/ 1arking/ s1eed limits

and other matters (see the Road >ra77ic Regulation Act $')4.$)

3.2 >he 7ollo"ing are certain o7 o77ences under the Road >ra77ic Act

$'))6

ection $. Caus%ng death # dange$ous d$%"%ng. A 1erson "hocauses the death o7 another 1erson dri8ing a mechanicall

1ro1elled 8ehicle dangerousl on a road or other 1ulic 1lace isguilt o7 an o77ence.

ection 2. 0ange$ous d$%"%ng . A 1erson "ho dri8es amechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle dangerousl on a road or other

1ulic 1lace is guilt o7 an o77ence.

ection 2A. 'ean%ng o) dange$ous d$%"%ng . ($ For the 1ur1oses o7 sections $ and 2 ao8e a 1erson is to e regarded asdri8ing dangerousl i7 (and/ suect to susection (2 elo"/ onli7

(a the "a he dri8es 7alls 7ar elo" "hat "ould e e&1ectedo7 a com1etent and care7ul dri8er/ and

(it "ould e o8ious to a com1etent and care7ul dri8er that dri8ing in that "a "ould e dangerous.

(2 A 1erson is also to e regarded a dri8ing dangerousl 7or the 1ur1oses o7 sections $ and 2 ao8e i7 it "ould e o8ious to acom1etent and care7ul dri8er that dri8ing the 8ehicle in its currentstate "ould e dangerous.

(3 In susections ($ and (2 ao8e dangerous re7ers todanger either o7 inur to an 1erson or o7 serious damage to

$) iid.

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1ro1ertH and in determining 7or the 1ur1oses o7 those susections"hat "ould e e&1ected o7/ or o8ious to/ a com1etent and care7uldri8er in a 1articular case/ regard shall e had not onl to thecircumstances o7 "hich he could e e&1ected to e a"are ut also

to an circumstances sho"n to ha8e een "ithin the kno"ledge o7 the accused.

(4 In determining 7or the 1ur1oses o7 susection (2 ao8e thestate o7 a 8ehicle/ regard ma e had to anthing attached to or carried on or in it and to the manner in "hich it is attached or carried.

ection 2B. Caus%ng death # &a$eless, o$ %n&ons%de$ate, d$%"%ng .

A 1erson "ho causes the death o7 another 1erson dri8ing amechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle on a road or other 1ulic 1lace"ithout due care and attention/ or "ithout reasonaleconsideration 7or other 1ersons using the road or 1lace/ is guilt o7 an o77ence.

ection 3. Ca$eless, and %n&ons%de$ate, d$%"%ng . I7 a 1erson dri8esa mechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle on a road or other 1ulic 1lace

"ithout due care and attention/ or "ithout reasonaleconsideration 7or other 1ersons using the road or 1lace/ he is guilto7 an o77ence.

ection 3NA. 'ean%ng o) &a$eless, o$ %n&ons%de$ate, d$%"%ng . ($>his section has e77ect 7or the 1ur1oses o7 sections 2B and 3 ao8eand section 3A elo".

(2 A 1erson is to e regarded as dri8ing "ithout due care and

attention i7 (and onl i7 the "a he dri8es 7alls elo" "hat "ould e e&1ected o7 a com1etent and care7ul dri8er.

(3 In determining 7or the 1ur1oses o7 susection (2 ao8e"hat "ould e e&1ected o7 a care7ul and com1etent dri8er in a

1articular case/ regard shall e had not onl to the circumstanceso7 "hich he could e e&1ected to e a"are ut also to ancircumstances sho"n to ha8e een "ithin the kno"ledge o7 theaccused.

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(4 A 1erson is to e regarded as dri8ing "ithout reasonaleconsideration 7or other 1ersons onl i7 those 1ersons areincon8enienced his dri8ing.

ection 3NB. Caus%ng death # d$%"%ng unl%&ensed, d%sual%)%ed o$ un%nsu$ed d$%"e$s. A 1erson is guilt o7 an o77ence under thissection i7 he causes the death o7 another 1erson dri8ing a motor 8ehicle on a road and/ at the time "hen he is dri8ing/ thecircumstances are such that he is committing an o77ence under

(a section );($ o7 this Act (dri8ing other"ise than inaccordance "ith a licence/

(section $%3($( o7 this Act (dri8ing "hile dis@uali7ied/

or (c section $43 o7 this Act (using motor 8ehicle "hile

uninsured or unsecured against third 1art risks.

ection 3A. Caus%ng death # &a$eless d$%"%ng when unde$ %n)luen&e o) d$%n o$ d$ugs. ($ I7 a 1erson causes the death o7 another 1erson dri8ing a mechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle on aroad or other 1ulic 1lace "ithout due care and attention/ or

"ithout reasonale consideration 7or other 1ersons using the roador 1lace/ and #

(a he is/ at the time "hen he is dri8ing/ un7it to dri8ethrough drink or drugs/ or

(he has consumed so much alcohol that the 1ro1ortion o7 it in his reath/ lood or urine at that time e&ceeds the

1rescried limit/ or(c he is/ "ithin $) hours a7ter that time/ re@uired to 1ro8ide

a s1ecimen in 1ursuance o7 section ; o7 this Act/ ut"ithout reasonale e&cuse 7ails to 1ro8ide it/ or (dhe is re@uired a constale to gi8e his 1ermission 7or

laorator test o7 a s1ecimen o7 lood taken 7rom himunder section ;A o7 this Act/ ut "ithout reasonalee&cuse 7ails to do so/

he is guilt o7 an o77ence.

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(2 For the 1ur1oses o7 this section a 1erson shall e taken to eun7it to dri8e at an time "hen his ailit to dri8e 1ro1erlis im1aired.

(3 usection ($(/ (c and (d ao8e shall not a11l inrelation to a 1erson dri8ing a mechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicleother than a motor 8ehicle.

ection 4. 0$%"%ng, o$ #e%ng %n &ha$ge, when unde$ %n)luen&e o) d$%n o$ d$ugs. ($ A 1erson "ho/ "hen dri8ing or attem1ting todri8e a mechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle on a road or other 1ulic

1lace/ is un7it to dri8e through drink or drugs is guilt o7 ano77ence.

(2 ithout 1reudice to susection ($ ao8e/ a 1erson "ho/"hen in charge o7 a mechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle "hich is on aroad or other 1ulic 1lace/ is un7it to dri8e through drink or drugsis guilt o7 an o77ence.

(3 For the 1ur1oses o7 susection (2 ao8e/ a 1erson shall edeemed not to ha8e een in charge o7 a mechanicall 1ro1elled8ehicle i7 he 1ro8es that at the material time the circumstances"ere such that there "as no likelihood o7 his dri8ing it so long as

he remained un7it to dri8e through drink or drugs.

(4 >he court ma/ in determining "hether there "as such alikelihood as is mentioned in susection (3 ao8e/ disregard aninur to him and an damage to the 8ehicle.

(5 For the 1ur1oses o7 this section/ a 1erson shall e taken to e un7it to dri8e i7 his ailit to dri8e 1ro1erl is 7or the time eingim1aired.

K.

ection 5. 0$%"%ng o$ #e%ng %n &ha$ge o) a moto$ "eh%&le w%thal&ohol &on&ent$at%on a#o"e $es&$%#ed l%m%t . ($ I7 a 1erson #

(a dri8es or attem1ts to dri8e a motor 8ehicle on a road or other 1ulic 1lace/ or

(is in charge o7 a motor 8ehicle on a road or other 1ulic 1lace/

2)

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a7ter consuming so much alcohol that the 1ro1ortion o7 it in his reath/ lood or urine e&ceeds the 1rescried limit he is guilt o7 an o77ence.

(2 It is a de7ence 7or a 1erson charged "ith an o77ence under susection ($( ao8e to 1ro8e that at the time he is alleged toha8e committed the o77ence the circumstances "ere such that there"as no likelihood o7 his dri8ing the 8ehicle "hilst the 1ro1ortiono7 alcohol in his reath/ lood or urine remained likel to e&ceedthe 1rescried limit.

(3 >he court ma/ in determining "hether there "as such alikelihood as is mentioned in susection (2 ao8e/ disregard aninur to him and an damage to the 8ehicle.

3.3 As 1er art I o7 chedule 2 to the Road >ra77ic +77enders Act

$'))/ each o7 the o77ences o7 causing death dangerous dri8ing/

causing death careless or inconsiderate dri8ing/ and causing death

careless dri8ing "hen under in7luence o7 drink or drugs/ is 1unishale

"ith ma&imum im1risonment o7 7i8e ears. :ach o7 the o77ences o7

dangerous dri8ing/ and causing death dri8ing unlicensed/

dis@uali7ied or uninsured dri8ers/ is 1unishale "ith ma&imum

im1risonment o7 t"o ears. >he o77ence o7 careless/ and inconsiderate/

dri8ing is 1unishale onl "ith 7ine/ ut o7 the Le8el 5 on the standard

scale$'. :ach o7 the o77ences o7 dri8ing or attem1ting to dri8e "hen un7it

to dri8e through drink or drugs/ and dri8ing or attem1ting to dri8e "ith

e&cess alcohol in reath/ lood or urine/ is 1unishale "ith ma&imum

im1risonment o7 si& months. :ach o7 the o77ences o7 eing in charge o7 a

$' standard scale is a sstem "here 7ines in legislation ha8e ma&imum le8els set

against a standard scaleH then/ "hen in7lation makes it necessar to increase the le8els

o7 7ines/ the legislators need to modi7 onl the scale rather than each indi8idual 1iece

o7 legislation. >he standard scale o7 7ines is onl 7or summar o77ences/ as laid do"nunder section 3; o7 the -riminal Justice Act $')2H there are 5 Le8els on the scale6 the

amount o7 7ine 7or Le8el $ is 1ound 2%%H 7or Le8el 2 it is 1ound 5%%H 7or Le8el 3 it is

1ound $/%%%H 7or Le8el 4 it is 1ound 2/5%%H 7or Le8el 5 it is 1ound 5/%%%.

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mechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicle "hen un7it to dri8e through drink or

drugs/ and eing in charge o7 a motor 8ehicle "ith e&cess alcohol in

reath/ lood or urine/ is 1unishale "ith ma&imum im1risonment o7

three months. ome o7 these o77ences are also 1unishale "ith 7ine in the

alternati8e or "ith oth.

3.4 +ther o77ences under the Road >ra77ic Act $')) and other statutes/

include o77ences o7 dangerous ccling on a road/ careless/ and

inconsiderate/ ccling on a road/ ccling on a road "hen under the

in7luence o7 drink or drugs/ motor racing on 1ulic "as/ unauthori


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o77ence/ attracting the same/ on the dri8ing record/ to e taken into

consideration on suse@uent con8iction. -ertain road tra77ic o77ences are

dealt "ith "a o7 a 7i&ed 1enalt rather than "a o7 1rosecution.

4. "re&ous Reports o+ t(e L,- Co%%&ss&o* o+ I*'&, ,*'

&ts re/o%%e*',t&o*s

4.$ >he 42nd Re1ort o7 the La" -ommission o7 India/ sumitted in

June/ $';$/ e&amined the 1ro8isions o7 the I-/ and its rele8ant

1aragra1hs are re1roduced elo"6

ara $4.). !e&t%on 279 amended. ection 2;' deals "ith theo77ence o7 rash dri8ing o7 a 8ehicle on a 1ulic "a. e 1ro1ose

to make the 7ine under this section unlimited omitting the "ordsG"hich ma e&tend to one thousand ru1ees=.

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ara $4.'. New se&t%on 279/ 0ange$ousl o"e$loaded "eh%&les.>here is/ ho"e8er/ no 1ro8ision corres1onding to section 2)2under "hich carring 1assengers in a oat "hich is unsa7e either

ecause o7 its condition or ecause o7 its load is an o77ence. Asimilar 1ro8ision should/ in our o1inion/ e made 7or taking on theroad an unsa7e 8ehicle/ and "e suggest the addition o7 a ne"section 2;'A as 7ollo"s6

G2;'A. 0$%"%ng unsa)e o$ o"e$loaded "eh%&le on a u#l%&wa. hoe8er kno"ingl or negligentl dri8es an 8ehicleon a 1ulic "a "hen that 8ehicle is in such a state or soloaded as to endanger li7e/ shall e 1unished "ithim1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma

e&tend to si& months/ or "ith 7ine/ or "ith oth.=.

ara $*.2$. !e&t%on 34/ and ual%t o) negl%gen&e. ection 3%4Adeals "ith homicide a rash or negligent act. >hat the negligencementioned in the section is not o7 the same t1e as in ci8il dis1uteshas een made clear udicial decisions. In ci8il cases/ courtsinsist on a ma&imum standard o7 care/ "hile criminal courtsre@uire minimum care. I7 the minimum care is taken/ then thecriminal courts "ould ac@uit the accused. It "as suggested that

this udicial inter1retation should e emodied in the section/ e.g./ adding the "ords Gso as to indicate a "ant o7 due regard 7or human li7e=.

ara $*.22. %sto$ o) se&t%on. >he 1ro8ision in acaula=s Dra7tenal -ode "as as 7ollo"s6

G3%4. hoe8er causes the death o7 an 1erson an act or an illegal omission/ "hich act or omission "as so rash or

negligent as to indicate a "ant o7 due regard 7or human li7e/shall e 1unished "ith im1risonment o7 either descri1tion7or a term "hich ma e&tend to t"o ears/ or 7ine/ or oth.=

>his clause "as inad8ertentl or other"ise/ le7t out in the 7inaldra7t. >he 1resent section 3%4A "as suse@uentl inserted at theinstance o7 the then La" inister/ ir James te1hen/ Act 25 o7 $);%. It "as stated in the tatement o7 +ects and Reasons6

G>he -ode/ as it stands/ contains no ade@uate 1ro8ision 7or

the 1unishment o7 "hat :nglish la"ers call manslaughter

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negligence. >his "as 1ro8ided 7or in the dra7t -ode/section 3%4/ and the 1resent Bill su11lies the omission.=.

ara $*.24. No &la$%)%&at%on ne&essa$. K sections 33* and 33;

re7er to acts done Gso rashl or negligentl as to endanger humanli7e or the 1ersonal sa7et o7 others=. But o8iousl these or similar "ords "ould not e ade@uate or a11ro1riate 7or the 1ur1oses o7 section 3%4A. e 7ind it di77icult to de8ise a satis7actor 7orm o7 "ords "hich/ "hile gi8ing e77ect to the conce1t o7 Gcriminalnegligence=/ could e regarded as su77icientl e&1ressi8e andsim1le. Judicial decisions ha8e 7ull e&1lained the sco1e andcontent o7 the section and on the "hole/ it seems est not to makean change in the "ording.

ara $*.25. +un%shment %nadeuate. e are/ ho"e8er/ o7 the 8ie"that the 1resent ma&imum 1unishment 7or the o77ence isinade@uate/ and should e increased. >his is desirale/ in 8ie" o7 the greater im1ortance "hich this o77ence has assumed since thesection "as inserted due to the "ide use o7 7ast mo8ingmechanicall 1ro1elled 8ehicles and the 7re@uenc in thecommission o7 the o77ence/ accom1anied callousness o7 theo77ender to"ards the 8ictimH o7ten there are cases tried under thissection "hich are 8er near to cul1ale homicide and deser8e a

se8ere sentence.

ara $*.2*. O%n%ons $e&e%"ed. K in the 8ie"s e&1ressed on our @uestion as to the @uantum o7 1unishment under the -ode/ therehas een a strong demand 7or increase in the 1unishment under thissection. >he suggestions 8ar 7rom three ears to se8en ears.>here is also a suggestion to increase the 1eriod to se8en ears i7 more than one death has een caused. K .

ara $*.2;. 'a6%mum un%shment to #e )%"e ea$s. A7ter takinginto account our 1ro1osal to 7i& the ma&imum 1unishment 7or cul1ale homicide not amounting to murder at ten ears/ "erecommend that the ma&imum 1unishment 7or causing death negligence ma e hal7 that 1eriod/ namel/ 7i8e ears.

ara $*.;$. !e&t%ons 33: to 338 Re&ommendat%on )o$ %n&$ease %n un%shment. >he 1unishment under sections 33* to 33) are notade@uate/ and should e increased as 7ollo"s6

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(i ection 33*6 ustitute Gsi& months= 7or Gthree months=/and G7i8e hundred ru1ees= 7or Gt"o hundred and 7i7tru1ees=.

(ii ection 33;6 ustitute Gone ear= 7or Gsi& months= andomit the "ords G"hich ma e&tend to 7i8e hundredru1ees=.

(iii ection 33)6 ustitute Gthree ears= 7or Gt"o ears= andomit the "ords G"hich ma e&tend to one thousandru1ees=.

4.2 -lauses $$*/ $$;/ $23/ $3)/ $3' and $4% o7 the I- (Amendment

Bill/ $';2/ as introduced in the -ouncil o7 tates on $$.$2.$';2/

contained the ao8e suggestions o7 the La" -ommission o7 India.

4.3 -lauses $$)/ $$'/ $2;/ $4$/ $42 and $43 o7 the I- (Amendment

Bill/ $';)/ as 1assed the -ouncil o7 tates on 23.$$.$';)/

corres1ondingl carried the ao8e changesH there "as slight di77erence in

the te&t o7 ne" section 2;'A in that it not onl sought to 1unish the one

dri8ing a 8ehicle himsel7 ut also the one "ho 1ermitted another 1erson

to dri8e. In addition/ clause $2) o7 the Bill inserted ne" section 3%4B

(relating to Ghit and run= cases a7ter section 3%4A in the I-/ "hich read

as under6

Caus%ng death o$ %nu$ # $ash o$ negl%gent d$%"%ng. G3%4B.hoe8er rash or negligent dri8ing o7 an 8ehicle causes thedeath o7 an 1erson or causes an inur "hich is likel to causethe death o7 such 1erson/ the causing o7 such death not amountingto cul1ale homicide/ and dri8es or runs a"a "ithout in7ormingan 1olice station "ithin a reasonale time/ shall e 1unished "ithim1risonment o7 either descri1tion 7or a term "hich ma e&tend tose8en ears/ and shall also e liale to 7ine.

6lanat%on 1. here the act constituting the o77ence under section 3%4A or this section is committed "hile under the

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in7luence o7 drink or drug shall e deemed to ha8e een committedin a rash or negligent manner.

6lanat%on 2. In this section 8ehicle includes 8essel.=

O

4.4 As the 9ouse o7 the eo1le "as dissol8ed in $';'/ the Bill/ though

1assed the -ouncil o7 tates/ la1sed.

4.5 >he $5*th Re1ort o7 the La" -ommission o7 India/ sumitted in

August/ $'';/ e&amined the I- (Amendment Bill/ $';)/ and a77irmed

the ao8e amendments/ e&ce1t that ne" section 3%4B "as recommended

to e inserted as susection (2 in section 3%4A ecause the numer

could not e G3%4B= in 8ie" o7 the amendment o7 the I- Act 43 o7

$')* inserting section 3%4B relating to do"r death.

5. "e*'&*g Motor Ve(&/:es !A%e*'%e*t# B&:: 200

5.$ >he otor 0ehicles (Amendment Bill/ 2%%; (Bill "as introduced

in the -ouncil o7 tates on $5.%5.2%%; "ith the oecti8e to/ %nte$ al%a,

enhance 1enalties/ "here8er considered necessar/ 7or 8iolation o7 the

1ro8isions o7 the 0Act "ith a 8ie" to ensure road sa7et and

disci1line/ and 1ro8ide 7or ci8il 1enalt in addition to the e&isting

criminal liailit.

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5.2 -lause ' o7 the Bill seeks to insert ne" susection (5 in section

2$ o7 the 0Act/ "hich reads as under6

(5 here the authorit authori


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issued the documents in 1ossession o7 the 1erson in charge o7 the motor

8ehicle/ res1onsile 7or the o8erloadingH "here the goods carried elong

to more than one consignor/ the res1onsiilit 7or the o8erloading shall

rest "ith the common carrier "ho engaged the motor 8ehicleH the o"ner

o7 the motor 8ehicle or the dri8er shall e res1onsile 7or the

o8erloading/ "here the motor 8ehicle "ith o8erloaded goods is o1erating

under the charge o7 such o"ner or the dri8er/ as the case ma e. >he

e&1ression common carrier is sought to e de7ined inserting a ne"

clause (4A in section 2 o7 the 0Act/ "%de clause 2 o7 the Bill/ as a

1erson engaged in the usiness o7 collecting/ storing/ 7or"arding or distriuting goods to e carried goods carriages under goods recei1t

or trans1orting 7or hire/ o7 goods 7rom 1lace to 1lace/ motori


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ma&imum o7 Rs. 3%%, to Rs. $/5%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs.

$/%%%,.

5.) -lause 5$ o7 the Bill seeks to amend section $)% o7 the 0Act

1ro8iding 1unishment 7or allo"ing unauthori


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5.$$ -lause 54 o7 the Bill seeks to amend section $)4 o7 the 0Act

1ro8iding 1unishment 7or dangerous dri8ing/ to enhance the @uantum o7

7ine 7or the 7irst o77ence 7rom the 1resent ma&imum o7 Rs. $/%%%, to a

7i&ed Rs. $/%%%, and 7or the suse@uent o77ence 7rom the 1resent

ma&imum o7 Rs. 2/%%%, to Rs. 5/%%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs.

2/%%%,.

5.$2 -lause 55 o7 the Bill seeks to amend section $)5 o7 the 0Act

1ro8iding 1unishment 7or dri8ing a drunken 1erson or a 1erson under

the in7luence o7 drugs/ to enhance the @uantum o7 7ine 7or the 7irsto77ence 7rom the 1resent ma&imum o7 Rs. 2/%%%, to a 7i&ed Rs. 2/%%%,

and 7or the suse@uent o77ence 7rom the 1resent ma&imum o7 Rs. 3/%%%,

to a 7i&ed Rs. 3/%%%,.

5.$3 -lause 5* o7 the Bill seeks to amend section $)* o7 the 0Act

1ro8iding 1unishment 7or dri8ing "hen mentall or 1hsicall un7it to

dri8e/ to enhance the @uantum o7 7ine 7or the 7irst o77ence 7rom the

1resent ma&imum o7 Rs. 2%%, to a 7i&ed Rs. 5%%, and 7or the suse@uent

o77ence 7rom the 1resent ma&imum o7 Rs. 5%%, to a 7i&ed Rs. $/%%%,.

5.$4 -lause 5) o7 the Bill 1ro1oses to insert ne" section $);A in the

0Act/ "hich reads as under6

ection $);A. ;%a#%l%t o) a e$son wh%le d$%"%ng a moto$ "eh%&le%n &e$ta%n &ases. ($ ithout 1reudice to the 1ro8isionscontained in the Indian enal -ode/ $)*%/ "hoe8er dri8es a motor 8ehicle in rash or negligent manner and causes inur to a 1ersonor damages an 1ro1ert shall e liale to 1enalt "hich mae&tend to 7i8e thousand ru1ees.

(2 >he 1enalt realised under susection ($ shall e credited

to the olatium Fund estalished under section $*$A in suchmanner as ma e 1rescried.

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5.$5 -lause 5' o7 the Bill seeks to amend section $'2 o7 the 0Act

1ro8iding 1unishment 7or using a motor 8ehicle "ithout registration/ to

enhance the @uantum o7 7ine 7or the 7irst o77ence 7rom the 1resent Rs.

5/%%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs. 2/%%%, to Rs. $%/%%%, suect to

the minimum o7 Rs. 4/%%%, and 7or the suse@uent o77ence 7rom the

1resent Rs. $%/%%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs. 5/%%%, to Rs.

2%/%%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs. $%/%%%,.

5.$* -lause *% o7 the Bill seeks to amend section $'2A o7 the 0Act 1ro8iding 1unishment 7or using a motor 8ehicle "ithout 1ermit or in

contra8ention o7 an o7 its conditions/ to enhance the @uantum o7 7ine 7or

the 7irst o77ence 7rom the 1resent Rs. 5/%%%, suect to the minimum o7

Rs. 2/%%%, to Rs. $%/%%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs. 4/%%%, and 7or

the suse@uent o77ence 7rom the 1resent Rs. $%/%%%, suect to the

minimum o7 Rs. 5/%%%, to Rs. 2%/%%%, suect to the minimum o7 Rs.

$%/%%%,.

5.$; -lause *$ o7 the Bill seeks to sustitute ne" section 7or section

$') o7 the 0Act 1ro8iding 1unishment 7or unauthori


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1ermissile "eight/ and to insert therein section $'2A 1ro8iding

1unishment 7or using a motor 8ehicle "ithout 1ermit or in 8iolation o7

an o7 its conditions.

5.$' -lause *3 o7 the Bill 1ro1oses to insert ne" section 2$3A in the

0Act/ "hich reads as under6

ection 2$3A. Not%)%&at%on o) %nse&t%on aud%to$s # !tateo"e$nments. ($ >he tate Eo8ernment ma/ noti7ication inthe +77icial Eahe De1artmentrelated arliamentar tanding -ommittee on

>rans1ort/ >ourism and -ulture/ to "hich the Bill "as re7erred 7or

e&amination and re1ort on $;.%5.2%%;/ sumitted to arliament its $3'th

Re1ort on the Bill on 2).%4.2%%). >he 7ollo"ing are some o7 the

im1ortant oser8ations, recommendations o7 the -ommittee6

ara $3.2. -lause ' seeks K .

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ara $3.3. >he -ommittee notes that drunken dri8ing is a maor cause o7 road accidents. >his malad needs to e dealt "ith a 7irmhand. >he -ommittee got suggestions 7rom 8arious @uarters to thee77ect that i7 a drunken dri8er commits an accident "hich results in

the death o7 1ersons the 7ormer should e dealt under the 1ro8isions o7 cul1ale homicide not amounting to murder under the rele8ant section o7 I-. >he -ommittee/ there7ore/recommends that the Eo8ernment ma amend the necessarlegislations to include the deaths due to drunken dri8ing ascul1ale homicide not amounting to murder.

ara $3.4. >he -ommittee also recommends that i7 the drunkendri8er commits an accident his action should not e construed as

mere Gnegligence= rather it should e treated as a 1remeditatedcommitment o7 a crime and the drunken dri8er should e

1unishale under rele8ant 1ro8isions o7 I- de1ending on theconse@uences o7 the accident.

ara 2%.2. -lause 2; seeks K .

ara 2%.3. >he -ommittee "elcomes this amendment asinstallation o7 s1eed go8ernors and 7og lights are im1ortant sa7etre@uirements. >he -ommittee ho1es that this -lause oncelegislated should e im1lemented sstematicall and the 8iolatorso7 this 1ro8ision should e 1unished hea8il as o8er s1eeding isone o7 the main causes 7or the rising numer o7 accidents on theroads.

ara 3$.2. -lause 5% seeks K .

ara 3$.3. +ne o7 the stakeholders has suggested sla rates 7or o8er s1eeding since the danger increases mani7old "hen the8ehicle is dri8en at '%m,1h or at $2% km,hr. >hus sla ma e as7ollo"s6

2% more than s1eed limit Rs.5%%5% more than s1eed limit Rs.$%%%

$%% and eond cancellation o7 licence and held under section $)4 o7 otor 0ehicle Act.

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ara 3$.4. >he -ommittee is also o7 the 8ie" that to restraindangerous dri8ing "hich causes human and 7inancial loss the

ao8e sla ma e suital 7ormulated 7or e8er o77ence 1rescried in the otor 0ehicle Act. >he -ommittee alsorecommends that the sla ma e re8ised annuall in 1ro1ortion tothe rate o7 in7lation and the clause ma e modi7ied accordingl.

ara 32.2. -lause 53 seeks K .

ara 32.3. >he recommendations o7 the -ommittee against

-lause 5% ma e a11lied in this -lause also "ith necessarmodi7ications.

ara 33.2. -lause 54 seeks K .

ara 33.3. >he -ommittee notes that the otor 0ehicles Act/$'))/ does not contain an 1ro8ision or 1enalt related to the

usage o7 moile 1hones the dri8ers "hile dri8ing. 9o"e8er/through an e&ecuti8e order the Eo8ernment 1rescries the

1enalties 7or the use o7 moile 1hones "hile dri8ing. 9o"e8er/the e&ecuti8e order is silent on the 7ollo"ing issues6

hould the case e ooked under section $)4 o7 the0A?

hat does it mean G"hile dri8ing= # can one e ooked "hile "aiting on a signal?

-an hands 7ree1hones e used? Are t"o "a radio sets allo"ed ta&i users andother 1aramilitar and 1olice organi


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there7ore/ recommends that a ne" ection should e entrusteds1eci7icall 7or the usage o7 moile 1hones "hile dri8ing.

ara 34.2. -lause 55 seeks K >he -ommittee=s recommendationsagainst -lause ' ma e a11lied in case o7 this -lause also "ithnecessar modi7ications.

ara 34.3. It "as sumitted to the -ommittee there1resentati8e o7 the Institute o7 Road >ra77ic :ducation that the

reath alcohol tests conducted on drunken dri8ers 1ro8ed that the"ere ha8ing alcohol le8el o7 3% mg to 2%%mg and ao8e in $%%mlo7 lood. >he more the @uantit o7 alcohol makes the dri8er more

8ulnerale to accidents. >he danger increases mani7old "hen hedri8es at '% km,hr or $2% km,hr com1ared to the lo" s1eeddri8ing. >he 1roailit o7 accidents increase "ith the increase o7 the s1eed o7 motor 8ehicle. 9igher the s1eed "ould mean higher the risk o7 accidents and there7ore should attract higher 1enalt.>he -ommittee 7eels that a singular 1enalt in such cases "ill notser8e the 1ur1ose. >he -ommittee recommends the 7ollo"ingslas6

(i 3%*% mg 1er $%%ml o7 lood a 7ine o7 Rs.2%%%,(ii *%$5% mg 1er $%%ml o7 lood a 7ine o7 Rs.4%%%,

and,or im1risonmentH and(iii $5%mg and ao8e 1er $%%ml o7 lood a 7ine o7

Rs.5%%%, and minimum im1risonment "ith a 1ro8ision to cancel the dri8ing licence.

ara 34.4. >he -ommittee=s recommendations against -lause '

ma e a11lied in case o7 this -lause also "ith necessarmodi7ications.

ara 35.2. -lause *3 1ro1oses K .

ara 35.4. +ne o7 the stakeholders in their memorandumsumitted the -ommittee has stated that the maintenance o7 8ehicles in good condition is a re@uirement o7 la". >his area is

o7ten o8erlooked as the 1ollution le8els and the numers o7 roadmisha1s "ould suggest. >he cut throat com1etition/ the huge

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urden o7 re1ament o7 loans and the inailit o7 theadministration to 1ro1erl check each 8ehicle 1hsicall at thetime o7 issuance o7 certi7icate o7 7itness are some o7 the reasonsthat can e attriuted to the ao8e. As a result accidents are on the

rise resulting in loss o7 li7e and 1ro1ert. Further/ the menace o7 auto 1ollution is on the u1s"ing. ro1er checks and control arethe need o7 the hour.

ara 35.5. >he .0. Act/ $')) 1ro8ides sco1e 7or a11ointment o7 Authoriesting tations 7or 1ro1er checking and testing o7 all 8ehicles 7or the 1ur1ose o7 rene"al o7 certi7icate o7 7itness.>he are su11osed to install re@uired machiner 7or this 1ur1oseand also a11oint @uali7ied engineers 7or this 1ur1ose. But/ the

go8ernment has 7ailed to im1lement the same ins1ite o7 theade@uate man1o"er a8ailale at their dis1osal 7or the same o.

ara 35.*. >he -ommittee notes that almost all the 8ehiclemanu7acturers are ha8ing authorihe -ommittee recommends that the Eo8ernment mareconsider -lause *3 a7ter care7ull scrutini


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ins1ection o7 authoriheha8e stated that the road sign has een u1dated the Indian Road-ongress in 2%%$ ut the First chedule to the otor 0ehiclesAct/ $')) has not een amended to incor1orate the changes. >hishas le7t a maor 8acuum in road user education/ the dri8er trainingas "ell as installation o7 signage as 1er la". >he -ommittee 7eelsthat i7 the signages in the schedule are osolete or not kee1ing"ith the 1ace o7 the changing times/ naturall there "ill remain aserious handica1 in dri8er training and education. >he -ommittee

also notes that there is no mention o7 road marking or tra77icsignals in the 7irst schedule. >he -ommittee 7eels that this is amaor shortcoming and recommends that the 7irst schedule should

e amended "ith com1rehensi8e signs and smols/ road markingsand signals as 1er the recommendations o7 the Indian Roads-ongress.

*. "ropose' Ro,' S,+et1 ,*' Tr,++&/ M,*,ge%e*t Bo,r's

,*' N,t&o*,: Ro,' Tr,++&/ "o:&/1

*.$ >he -ommittee on In7rastructure (-+I headed 9on=le rime

inister had a11ro8ed in its third meeting on $3.%$.2%%5/ creation o7 a

Directorate o7 Road a7et and >ra77ic Regulation. ith a 8ie" to

recommend the sco1e/ 7unctions and nature o7 this Directorate/ a

-ommittee headed hri . undar (undar -ommittee "as

constituted the De1artment o7 Road >rans1ort and 9igh"as on

23.$$.2%%5. >he undar -ommittee sumitted its Re1ort in Feruar/

2%%;/ a11ending there"ith a dra7t o7 !ational Road a7et and >ra77ic

anagement Act/ 2%%;. >he long title o7 the 1ro1osed enactment reads

as under6

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An Act to 1ro8ide 7or the estalishment o7 !ational and tatele8el Road sa7et and >ra77ic anagement Boards 7or the 1ur1oseo7 orderl de8elo1ment/ regulation/ 1romotion and o1timi


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( s1eci7 minimum standards 7or estalishing ando1erating trauma 7acilities and 1aramedical 7acilities 7or dealing "ith tra77ic related inuries on !ational9igh"asH

(c conduct or cause to e conducted sa7et audits to monitor com1liance "ith the standards s1eci7ied itH(dmake recommendations or issue guidelines relating to

design/ construction/ o1eration and maintenancestandards 7or roads other than !ational 9igh"as.

(2 !ot"ithstanding anthing to the contrar contained in anla" 7or the time eing in 7orce and e77ect/ the !ational Board shall/in relation to echanicall ro1elled 0ehicles/ ha8e the 7ollo"ing

1o"ers and 7unctions/ namel6

(a s1eci7 the minimum sa7et re@uirements and standards7or the design and manu7acture o7 echanicallro1elled 0ehiclesH

( s1eci7 the minimum conditions 7or sa7e usage o7 echanicall ro1elled 0ehicles including ut notlimited to s1eci7ing the ma&imum load earing andca1acit limitsH

(c conduct or cause to e conducted sa7et audits to monitor

com1liance "ith the standards s1eci7ied itH(ds1eci7 sa7et standards 7or 8ehicular tra77ic on 8arious

t1es o7 roads including ut not limited to schemes 7or segregation o7 8arious classes o7 0ehicles in se1arates1eed lanes and their right o7 "aH

(e aid and ad8ise the -entral Eo8ernment in determiningthe changes/ i7 an/ re@uired to an rules and regulations7or training/ testing and licensing o7 dri8ers o7 echanicall ro1elled 0ehiclesH and

(7 aid and ad8ise the -entral Eo8ernment in mattersrelating to or arising out o7 tra77ic management o7 echanicall ro1elled 0ehicles 7or the 1ur1oses o7 ensuring road sa7et.

(3 ithout 1reudice to the 1ro8isions o7 susections ($ and(2 ao8e/ the !ational Board shall ha8e the 7ollo"ing additional

1o"ers and 7unctions/ namel6

(a conduct or cause to e conducted research in di77erent

s1heres o7 road sa7et and tra77ic management and 1ulish the 7indings thereo7H

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(estalish the 1rocedure and methodolog 7or datacollection/ transmission and analsis at a11ro1riatele8els/ and de7ine the role o7 di77erent agencies "ithin the

urisdiction o7 !ational Board in8ol8ed in the 1rocessH

(c estalish 1rocedures and centres 7or multidisci1linarcrash in8estigationH(dmake recommendations or issue guidelines relating to

sa7et 7eatures 7or 8ehicles other than echanicallro1elled 0ehicles and 7or sa7e o1erating conditions 7or such 8ehiclesH

(e make recommendations or issue guidelines 7or uildingca1acit and skills in the tra77ic 1olice/ hos1itals/high"a authorities/ educational and researchorgani


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go8ernmental organihe !ational Board ma e a s1ecial or general resolutiondelegate to the -hair1erson or an other memer o7 the !ationalBoard or to an o77icer o7 the !ational Board/ suect to suchconditions and limitations/ i7 an/ as ma e sti1ulated/ such o7 its

1o"ers and 7unctions under this Act (e&ce1t 1o"ers under susection (3 o7 this section * and section 3; as it ma deemnecessar.(* >he !ational Board shall e&ercise its 1o"ers and dischargeits 7unctions in a trans1arent manner.

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(e conduct or cause to e conducted sa7et audits to monitor com1liance "ith the standards s1eci7ied under this Actother than matters relating to !ational 9igh"as andmatters "ithin the urisdiction o7 the -entral

Eo8ernmentH(7 s1eci7 minimum sa7et re@uirements and standards 7or the design and manu7acture o7 8ehicles other thanechanicall ro1elled 0ehicles "ith due regard to therecommendations or guidelines o7 the !ational BoardH

(grecommend measures 7or en@uir into and redressal o7 com1laints and grie8ances relating to road sa7et andtra77ic managementH

(hu1on re@uest o7 the !ational Board/ conduct or cause to e conducted sur8es and audits to monitor com1liance

"ith la"s relating to road sa7et and tra77ic managementand the adherence to standards/ 1rocedures andguidelines s1eci7ied or issued the !ational Boardunder this Act/ and re1ort the results o7 such sur8es or audits to the !ational BoardH

(i identi7 and 1romote road user eha8ior strategies/ca1acit uilding measures/ 1ulic a"areness and roadsa7et and tra77ic management educationH

( 1romote e77icient 1rocedures 7or accident in8estigation/

data collection/ re1orting and analsis/ in relation tomatters 7alling "ithin its urisdictionH and

(k1romote the 1ro8ision o7 s1ecial re@uirements relating to"omen/ children/ senior citihe tate Board shall e&ercise its 1o"ers and discharge its7unctions in a trans1arent manner.

(4 In e&ercise o7 its 1o"ers and discharge o7 its 7unctions/ thetate Board shall con7orm to the regulations made the !ational

Board under this Act and shall ha8e due regard 7or the guidelinesissued the !ational Board.

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-lause 2). /d"%so$ Comm%ttee. !$# >he A11ro1riate Board shall noti7ication estalish "ithin ninet das 7rom the a11ointeddate/ a committee to e kno"n as the !ational Ad8isor

-ommittee or the tate Ad8isor -ommittee/ as the case ma e.

(2 >he !ational Ad8isor -ommittee shall consist o7 not morethan thirtone memers and the tate Ad8isor -ommittee shallconsist o7 not more than t"entone memers to re1resent theinterests o7 road users/ construction industr/ trans1ort industr/automoile manu7acturers/ and rele8ant nongo8ernmentalorganihe -hair1erson and memers o7 the A11ro1riate Boardshall e the e&o77icio -hair1erson and e&o77icio memers o7 the

!ational Ad8isor -ommittee or the tate Ad8isor -ommittee/ asthe case ma e.

(4 >he !ational Ad8isor -ommittee or the tate Ad8isor-ommittee/ as the case ma e/ shall meet at least 7our times in aear and its 1roceedings shall e conducted in accordance "ith theRegulations to e s1eci7ied.

-lause 2'. O#e&ts o) /d"%so$ Comm%ttee. >he oects o7 the !ational Ad8isor -ommittee or the tate Ad8isor -ommittee/ asthe case ma e/ shall e to ad8ise the A11ro1riate Board on

(a @uestions o7 1olicH( matters relating to @ualit/ continuit/ reliailit and

e&tent o7 road sa7et and tra77ic managementH and(c 1rotection o7 road user interest.

-lause 3%. +enalt%es. ($ hoe8er 7ails to com1l "ith theregulations s1eci7ing the

(i design/ construction/ o1eration and maintenancestandards 7or !ational 9igh"asH or

(ii sa7et standards 7or the design or manu7acture o7 anechanicall ro1elled 0ehicle/

shall e 1unishale the !ational Board "ith 7ine "hich mae&tend to Ru1ees ten lakh and "here the contra8ention or 7ailure is

a continuing one/ "ith 7urther 7ine "hich ma e&tend to Ru1eesthree lakh 7or e8er month or 1art thereo7 during "hich such

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7ailure or contra8ention continues a7ter la1se o7 *% (si&t das7rom the date o7 im1osition o7 7ine 7or the 7irst such contra8entionor 7ailure6

ro8ided that no such 7ine shall e im1osed on

(i the o1erator or o"ner o7 "hole or an 1art o7 an !ational 9igh"a 7or contra8ention o7 an suchregulation "ithin a 1eriod o7 three ears 7rom the dateon "hich such regulation came into e77ectH and

(ii the manu7acturer o7 a echanicall ro1elled 0ehicle7or contra8ention o7 an such regulation "ithin a

1eriod o7 one ear 7rom the date on "hich suchregulation came in e77ect.

(2 hoe8er 7ails to com1l "ith the regulations s1eci7ing the

(i standards 7or design/ construction/ o1eration andmaintenance o7 roads other than !ational 9igh"as/or

(ii sa7et standards 7or the design or manu7acture o7 an8ehicle other than a echanicall ro1elled 0ehicle/

shall e 1unishale the tate Board "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tendto Ru1ees ten lakh and "here the contra8ention or 7ailure is acontinuing one/ "ith 7urther 7ine "hich ma e&tend to Ru1ees onelakh 7or e8er month or 1art thereo7 during "hich such 7ailure or contra8ention continues a7ter la1se o7 *% (si&t das 7rom the dateo7 con8iction 7or such contra8ention or 7ailure6

ro8ided that no such 7ine shall e im1osed on

(i the o1erator or o"ner o7 "hole or an 1art o7 an roadother than !ational 9igh"as 7or contra8ention o7 an such regulation "ithin a 1eriod o7 three ears7rom the date on "hich such regulation came intoe77ectH and

(ii the manu7acturer o7 a 8ehicle other than aechanicall ro1elled 0ehicle 7or contra8ention o7 an such regulation "ithin a 1eriod o7 one ear 7romthe date on "hich such regulation came into e77ect.

(3 hoe8er

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(i 7ails to 7urnish the in7ormation re@uired 1ursuant toection ; or ection $2 or 7ails to grant or im1edesan access re@uired to an document/ record or in7ormation or to an 1remises "here an such

document/ record or in7ormation is elie8ed to e ke1t 1ursuant to section ; or ection $2H or (ii "ill7ull 7urnishes or causes to e 7urnished an

in7ormation or return "hich he kno"s to e 7alse or incorrect in material 1articulars/

shall 7or each such o77ence e 1unishale the A11ro1riateBoard "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to Ru1ees one thousand and inthe case o7 a continuing o77ence to a 7urther 7ine "hich ma e&tendto Ru1ees 7i8e hundred 7or each da a7ter the 7irst da during

"hich the o77ence continues.

(4 ithout 1reudice to the 1enalt that ma e im1osed under susections ($ and (2 ao8e/ the A11ro1riate Board marecommend remedial action to the A11ro1riate Eo8ernment.

-lause 3;. +owe$ o) Nat%onal Boa$d to mae $egulat%ons. ($>he !ational Board ma/ noti7ication/ make regulations consistent"ith this Act and the rules made thereunder to carr out the

1ro8isions o7 this Act.

(2 Be7ore noti7ing an regulations/ the !ational Board shall 1ulish a dra7t thereo7 in such manner as it ma deem 7it to 1ro8ide an o11ortunit to 1ersons a77ected or likel to e a77ected such regulations to make suggestions or oections and u1onrecei8ing such suggestions and oections "ithin the 1eriodsti1ulated the !ational Board/ consider the same e7orenoti7ing the regulations/ "ith or "ithout modi7ications.

(3 In 1articular/ and "ithout 1reudice to the generalit o7 the7oregoing 1o"er/ such regulations ma 1ro8ide 7or all or an o7 the7ollo"ing matters/ namel6

(a an matter "hich is re@uired to e/ or ma e/s1eci7ied regulations or in res1ect o7 "hich

1ro8isions is to e or ma e made regulations 7or the 1ur1oses o7 the !ational Board=s e&ercise o7 its

1o"ers under section * o7 the ActH

( the time and 1laces o7 meetings o7 the !ational Boardand the 1rocedure (including @uorum necessar 7or

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the transaction o7 usiness to e 7ollo"ed at suchmeetings under susection ($ o7 section $*H

(c the 1o"ers and duties o7 the ecretar under susection ($ o7 section $)H

(d the terms and conditions o7 the consultants a11ointedunder susection (4 o7 section $)H(e the 1rocedure to e 7ollo"ed the !ational Board

including the 1laces at "hich it shall conduct its usiness under susection ($ o7 section $*H and

(7 an other matter "hich is re@uired to e/ or ma e/s1eci7ied regulations or in res1ect o7 "hich

1ro8ision is to e or ma e made regulations.

-lause 43. +owe$ o) the /$o$%ate o"e$nment to susend

al%&at%on o) $egulat%ons. ($ I7/ at an time/ the A11ro1riateEo8ernment is o7 the o1inion that on account o7 gra8e emergenc/national securit or other like cause it is necessar to kee1 inaeance an or all regulation(s made under this Act theA11ro1riate Board/ the A11ro1riate Eo8ernment/ ma/ noti7ication in the +77icial Ea


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*.3 hile the nion Eo8ernment is still e&amining the Re1ort o7 the

undar -ommittee/ the tate o7 erala has taken the lead and rought on

its statute Book the erala Road a7et Authorit Act/ 2%%; (erala

Act. >he erala Act 1ro8ides 7or the constitution o7 a Road a7et

Authorit 7or im1lementation o7 road sa7et 1rogrammes in the tate/ 7or

the estalishment o7 a Road sa7et Fund and 7or matters connected

there"ith and incidental thereto. >he >rans1ort -ommissioner is e6

o))%&%o the Road a7et -ommissioner/ "ho is a memer and the -hie7

:&ecuti8e +77icer o7 the Authorit. >he 7ollo"ing sections o7 the erala

Act need to e 1erused6

ection 4. he Authorit shall ha8ethe 7ollo"ing 7unctions/ namel6

(a ad8ising the Eo8ernment on road sa7et 1oliciesH( 1rescriing and en7orcing road sa7et standards and

1roceduresH(c 7ormulate and im1lement schemes/ 1roects and

1rogrammes/ relating to road sa7etH(d coordinating the 7unctions o7 all the agencies and

Eo8ernment de1artments discharging the dutiesrelated to road sa7etH

(e im1lementing road sa7et a"areness 1rogrammesH(7 administration o7 the FundH(g sanctioning e&1enditure 7or the im1lementation o7

road sa7et schemes and 1rogrammesH(h sanctioning e&1enditure 7or road sa7et 1roects and

7or 1urchase and installation o7 e@ui1ments andde8ices connected "ith road sa7etH

(i sanctioning e&1enditure 7or the conduct o7 studies/ 1roects and research on matters relating to roadsa7etH

( sanctioning e&1enditure 7or traumacare 1rogrammesor acti8itiesH

(k sanctioning administrati8e e&1enditure o7 theAuthoritH

(l sanctioning e&1enditure on matters connected "ith

road sa7et measuresH

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(m 7ormation o7 sel7 hel1 grou1s/ under the leadershi1 o7 the Authorit 7or the rescue o1eration in the 1lace o7 accidentH

(n discharging such other 7unctions/ as ma e

1rescried/ ha8ing regard to the oects o7 this Act.

ection $4. +owe$ to o$de$ $emo"al o) &auses o) a&&%dents. ($ !ot"ithstanding anthing contained in an other la" 7or the time eing in 7orce/ "here the Authorit is satis7ied on com1laint/re1ort an 1erson or other"ise that #

(i the act o7 an 1erson or 1ersons on a 1ulic roadH or (ii the 1lacement or 1ositioning o7 an 8ehicle/ animal/

oect uilt "ithout the a11ro8al o7 an recogni


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ection $5. +owe$ to o$de$ wo$s. ($ !ot"ithstanding anthingcontained in an other la" 7or the time eing in 7orce/ it shall ela"7ul 7or the Authorit to order an "ork or im1ro8ement on a

1ulic road/ as it considers necessar/ to secure sa7et on such

roads and each concerned Eo8ernment de1artment or the localauthorit or an other authorit shall e ound to carr out such"orks or im1ro8ement "ithin such time/ as ma e s1eci7ied the Authorit6

ro8ided that no order under this susection shall e issuedin res1ect o7 an high"a declared as such under the erala9igh"a rotection Act/ $''' (* o7 2%%% e&ce1t "ith the 1rior consultation o7 the high"a authorit o7 the res1ecti8e areaa11ointed under the said Act6

ro8ided 7urther that it shall not e issued in res1ect o7 theroads under the control o7 the Local el7 Eo8ernment Institutions"ithout 1rior consultation "ith the res1ecti8e Local el7 Eo8ernment.

(2 It shall e the dut o7 e8er o77icer o7 the Eo8ernment/ localauthorit or an other authorit to act in aid o7 the Authorit inen7orcing the orders under susection ($.

ection $*. +owe$ to $e&o"e$ &ost . I7 an 1erson on "hom a"ritten order is ser8ed under section $4 re7uses or 7ails to com1l"ith the order/ the Authorit ma take such action as to 1re8entdanger and ensure sa7et to the 1ulic and ma reco8er the cost"ith legitimate interest thereo7 7rom such 1erson.

ection $'. 0%st$%&t Road !a)et Coun&%l . ($ >he Eo8ernmentma/ noti7ication in the Eahe District Road a7et -ouncil shall e&ercise such 1o"ersand 1er7orm such 7unctions/ as the Authorit ma/ 7rom time totime/ delegate.

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ection 2*. +un%shment )o$ )a%lu$e to &oml w%th the /utho$%t=so$de$ . ($ hoe8er re7uses or 7ails to com1l "ith an order o7 the Authorit or the Road a7et -ommissioner or an DistrictRoad a7et -ouncil under this Act/ shall e 1unishale "ith

im1risonment 7or a term o7 si& months or "ith 7ine "hich mae&tend to 7i8e thousand ru1ees or "ith oth.

(2 In the case o7 continuing o77ence a 7ine o7 one thousandru1ees shall e im1osed 7or each da 7or "hich the o77encecontinues.

ection 2;. +un%shment )o$ o#st$u&t%ng the /utho$%t. hoe8er ostructs the Authorit/ the Road a7et -ommissioner/ District

Road a7et -ouncil or an o77icer o7 the Authorit or o7 theDistrict Road a7et -ouncil or an 1erson em1loed or engaged

them in the discharge o7 the 7unctions under this Act/ shall e 1unishale "ith im1risonment 7or a term o7 ma&imum three earsor "ith 7ine "hich ma e&tend to 7i8e thousand ru1ees or "ith

oth.

ection 2). Comound%ng o) o))en&es. An o77ence 1unishale

under section 2* ma either e7ore or a7ter the institution o7 1rosecution/ e com1ounded such o77icers or authorities and 7or such amount as the Eo8ernment ma/ noti7ication in theEa


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Road !a)et Coun&%ls and Comm%ttees. ($ >he -entralEo8ernment ma/ noti7ication in the +77icial Earans1ort and 9igh"as has

7ormulated a dra7t !ational Road a7et olic (olic in consultation

"ith road sa7et e&1erts and other de1artments. >he same "as 1laced

e7ore the !ational Road a7et -ouncil and has also een 1laced on the

said De1artment=s "esite2$. >he comments,suggestions recei8ed thereon

are under e&amination.22

*.* >he olic notes that the numer o7 road accidents and 7atalities ha8e

een gro"ing in recent ears/ "hich call 7or concerted and multi

disci1linar 1re8enti8e and remedial e77orts. As road accidents

2$ htt16,,morth.nic.in/ 8isited $;.%*.2%%)22 iid.

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in8ol8e roads/ motor 8ehicles as also the human eings/ the olic

needs to address on a holistic asis/ issues co8ering road engineering/

signage/ 8ehicle design/ education o7 road users and en7orcement o7

tra77ic sa7et measures. a7er road in7rastructure/ sa7er 8ehicles/ sa7er

dri8ers/ sa7et 7or 8ulnerale road users/ road tra77ic sa7et education

and training/ and tra77ic en7orcement are/ accordingl/ included in the

goals.

*.; >he olic states that sa7et conscious 1lanning and design o7

roads and road net"orks "ill e encouraged "hilst undertaking ne" as"ell as u1gradation and rehailitation road schemes through a11lication

o7 road sa7et audits.

*.) >he olic notes that "ithout 8ehicle construction regulations

go8erning sa7et standards 7or sstems such as raking/ lightening/

signaling there can e little control o8er the general sa7et o7 countr=s

8ehicle 7leet. te1s "ill e taken to strengthen the sstem to ensure that

sa7et as1ects are uilt in at the stage o7 design/ manu7acture/ usage/

o1eration and maintenance o7 8ehicles in line "ith 1re8ailing

international standards in order to minimi


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tools in 1artnershi1 "ith automoile manu7acturers/ other 1ri8ate sector

1artici1ants and !E+s "ill e encouraged.

*.$% >he olic notes that the road users 7ound most 8ulnerale on

Indian roads 7rom a road sa7et 1oint o7 8ie" are 1edestrians/ icclists

and motori


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goods. >he 1rimar oecti8e o7 tra77ic la" en7orcement is the creation o7

a deterrent to 8iolators and 1otential 8iolators o7 tra77ic la"s and to raise

the le8el o7 com1liance among all dri8ers and road users. A11ro1riate

ste1s to ensure that the en7orcement authorities are ade@uatel manned/

trained/ e@ui11ed and em1o"ered to carr out their 7unction ensuring

sa7e road use and orderl tra77ic 7lo"/ "ill e taken.

;. "e'estr&,*s ,*' No*9%otor&e' Tr,++&/

;.$ e ma 7irst re7er to the 7ollo

Law Commission Report No. 234- Legal Reforms to Combat Road Accidents.pdf

Documents

Transcript of Law Commission Report No. 234- Legal Reforms to Combat Road Accidents.pdf