₹25,000 fine & imprisonment of parents if minor found to drive vehicles in Assam

Dec. 31: On the eve of the new year, the Transport Department, Govt of Assam appears to have imposed stringent rules and regulations in order to achieve road safety. The Transport Department stated that till November, 2021, a total of 2,756 persons have lost their lives in the state due to street accidents. Further, from 31 December, 2020 till 1 January, 2021, a total of 29 persons lost their lives due to road mishap. It has been observed that 75 percent of these accidents have occurred due to rash driving.

What seems to be a matter of concern is that out of the lot who died due to road accident, 56 percent were in the age group of 18 to 35 years. Also 26 percent of the street accidents and 13 percent of deaths due to road mishap were caused by two-wheelers. Thus, in order to achieve an accident- free Assam in 2022, the Transport Department has urged upon the public to take a pledge to observe road safety regulations.

The state government has made the following appeal in order to achieve accident- free Assam in 2022:

• Both two-wheeler rider and pillion rider shall have wear helmets
• Avoid driving vehicles at high speed
• Don’t drink and drive
• While driving vehicles, those in the driver seat and the front seat should wear seat belts
• Don’t use mobile phones while driving vehicles.

Fine and punishment will be imposed for violating the directives of road safety issued by the Transport Department, government of Assam:

1. A fine of Rs. 1,000 will be imposed if the two-wheeler rider and pillion rider are found without wearing helmets. Further, the driving license of the two-wheeler rider will be suspended atleast for a period of three months.
2. Also, a fine of Rs. 1,000 will be levied if the driver and the person in front seat does not put on seat belts while driving.
3. For driving vehicles (both 2 & 4 wheelers), at high speed will invite a fine of Rs, 2,000. Further, the driving license of the two-wheeler rider/ vehicle driver will be suspended atleast for a period of three months.
4. A fine of Rs. 10,000 will be imposed for offence related to ‘drink and drive.’ Apart from the fine, the driving license of such erring driver/ rider will be suspended atleast for a period of three months and imprisonment upto 6 months may be imposed.
5. If minors are found to drive vehicles (both 2 & 4 wheelers), a hefty fine of Rs. 25,000 will be imposed. Apart from this, the parents of the offender or the owner of the vehicle may be imprisoned for a period of three years.