The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has announced a significant move towards smoother traffic management. In a bid to encourage citizens to settle traffic violations quickly, the government has decided to offer a 50% discount on certain fines under specific sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
This initiative, announced by Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, aims to streamline traffic enforcement and reduce the backlog of pending cases. The government has sent a proposal to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for approval, and the discounted fines will be applicable for existing challans within 90 days of the notification and subsequent challans within 30 days.
To make the process more accessible, the government has authorized officers of the rank of head constable and above from the Delhi Traffic Police and the transport department to compound traffic offenses under selected sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. Additionally, assistant traffic inspectors (ATIs) of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) have also been given this authority.
The specific offenses that qualify for the 50% reduction include:
* Allowing an unauthorized person to drive your vehicle.
* Driving without a valid license.
* Participating in or permitting a race or speed trial between motor vehicles in a public place without permission.
* Driving an uninsured vehicle.
The government believes this policy will not only encourage citizens to settle their traffic fines promptly but also help avoid protracted legal disputes.
“By rationalizing the compounding fees and delegating compounding powers, we are making it easier for citizens to comply with traffic regulations while enhancing enforcement efforts,” said Minister Gahlot. “This will ensure smoother public transportation and help keep our roads safer and more organized.”
The decision to delegate compounding powers to various officers aims to address the increasing workload faced by the transport department officers, making on-ground enforcement more efficient. It remains to be seen whether this move will effectively curb traffic violations and pave the way for smoother roads in Delhi.
