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An unique driving licence number for each driver with penalty point system for traffic rule violations, and allowing use of a single vehicle registration number across States are some of the many recommendations of a committee set up by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry.
The Ministry had set up a committee headed by former Road Transport Secretary, Mr S. Sunder, which submitted its report here on Wednesday.
MOTOR VEHICLE AMENDMENT BILL
However, the Road Transport Ministry is likely to take a view soon on what it will do with the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill provisions of 2007, which had already suggested stringent penalties for traffic violations.
Last year, the Ministry has been criticised by a Parliamentary Committee for not taking any action on the suggested amendments of the Motor Vehicle Amendment (Bill) 2007. For the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill (2007), the Ministry had already received comments from the Standing Committee of Parliament. It was close to finalising the Cabinet note in early 2008, just before the country went for elections.
The Road Transport and Highways Minister, Mr C.P. Joshi, told reporters, “This Committee was set up by the Ministry under my predecessor. I have accepted the report. We will study the issue and take a final view on it.”
The committee has suggested penalty points for various offences including obstructive parking, speeding, use of mobile while driving and drunken driving.
“The penalty will remain on record for three years. At any time, if the points cross a limit of 12, the driving licence shall be cancelled for one year,” the committee says. It also suggests more stringent penalties for repeat offenders.
‘NUMBER PORTABILITY'
The Committee has suggested introduction of a scheme that would provide for ‘number portability' and allow the original registration number of vehicle to remain valid throughout the country. The Committee recommended that this provision should be implemented to begin with for non-transport vehicles and later for other categories.
“Currently the owner of a vehicle is required to apply for a new number when he shifts his place of residence or place of business from one State to another,” it stated.
The Committee has also suggested simplification in the procedure for notifying and recording the change of address. But, penalty for not notifying change of address has been made more stringent.
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