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Officials believe the new penalty point system, allowing for licence suspension or cancellation, will serve as a stronger deterrent against traffic violations
Electronic monitoring will allow enforcement agencies to track penalty points in real-time using handheld devices. (Representative/PTI)
In an effort to reduce traffic rule violations, the Ministry of Road Transport has announced the introduction of a negative points system for driving licences (DL). Under this new initiative, infractions such as running red lights and speeding will be closely monitored. Accumulating too many negative points on a DL could result in its suspension or cancellation.
Authorities have previously implemented measures such as hefty fines and penalties to mitigate accidents and traffic violations, but these have not been sufficiently effective, with over 170,000 accidents occurring in India annually. Consequently, the government has resolved to adopt stricter measures, which is why the points system is being introduced in conjunction with existing penalties.
The new system is modelled on those in place in countries like Australia, the UK, Germany, Brazil, France, and Canada, as discussed during a recent meeting aimed at improving the DL system. Officials have indicated that this points system will be integrated into law amendments within the next two months. Positive news for law-abiding drivers includes the award of merit points, while violators will receive demerit points.
As per an Economic Times report, an official stated that drivers will now face demerit points for traffic violations, while responsible driving and acts of public help will earn them merit points.
The new system is anticipated to be integrated into the Motor Vehicles Act once it is amended in the upcoming months. This initiative is part of a larger plan to revamp India’s road safety measures, which have been scrutinized due to the rising number of traffic-related deaths.
According to the Economic Times report, despite previous measures such as increased fines introduced in 2019, road accidents and fatalities have persisted, with over 1.7 lakh people dying on the roads annually.
Officials believe the new penalty point system, which includes possible suspension or cancellation of driving licences, will be a more effective deterrent. Enhanced technology will support this effort; electronic monitoring will allow enforcement agencies to track penalty points in real-time using handheld devices.
In 2011, a review of the Motor Vehicles Act led by former Road Transport Secretary S. Sunder recommended a penalty point system for drivers. The report suggested that drivers accumulating 12 penalty points within three years should face a one-year licence suspension, while repeat offenders would have their licences cancelled for five years.
The new system will also require driving tests for individuals renewing their licences if they have committed any violations. Currently, renewal before licence expiration does not necessitate a driving test.
Additionally, the Ministry plans to mandate learners’ licences for electric vehicles under 1,500 watts with a maximum speed of 25 km/hr, and is considering graded eligibility for obtaining learners’ licences.
Another concern is the low recovery rate for e-challans, with only 40% of fines being paid. New regulations will target drivers who fail to clear their fines, proposing a three-month licence suspension for those with pending e-challans older than three months. Similarly, three violations for red light jumping or dangerous driving within a year could lead to a three-month licence suspension.
The government is contemplating higher insurance premiums for drivers with two unpaid fines from the previous year. To address technical issues or delayed notifications, officials are planning a procedure to ensure vehicle owners are informed about pending fines.
Currently, Delhi has the lowest e-challan recovery rate at 14%, followed by Karnataka (21%), and Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (27%). In contrast, Maharashtra and Haryana report higher recovery rates of 62% and 76%, respectively. The government intends to improve these figures with stricter enforcement measures.
In Delhi, traffic police have received a significant upgrade with a 360-degree rotatable AI-powered radar interceptor that identifies violations like overspeeding, seatbelt violations and mobile phone use while driving.
The AI system, equipped with an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera, can track multiple vehicles simultaneously, measure their speed, and issue automated e-challans without human intervention. Integrated with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), this system ensures swift enforcement of traffic laws.
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