New Delhi: The government of India has announced heavy traffic penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was cleared by parliament last month. With an aim to tighten road traffic regulations such as issuance of driving licence and impose stricter penalties for violations in an attempt to improve road safety, the Parliament in July passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The new law aims to instill fear in people who violate traffic rules, since an "intelligent traffic system" will monitor offences, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said last month.

With the new rule being implemented, regular traffic offences including use of mobiles, jumping traffic lights and driving on the wrong lane will be categorised as 'dangerous driving'. The higher penalties will be applicable throughout India. The goal is to create a fear of law that ensures decrease of traffic violations.

If one is caught driving without a seat-belt, it will cost a fine of Rs 1,000, which was earlier Rs 100. If one is caught driving while using a mobile phone, it will invite a fine of between Rs 1,000-5,000. Earlier it was Rs 1,000. Drunken driving earlier used to a invite fine of Rs 2,000. Now, it has been hiked to Rs 10,000.

In another welcome move, a driver can be fined Rs 10,000 for not giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire brigade. Earlier one had to shell out a meager Rs 500 for driving without a license. Under the new law, that has multiplied to Rs 5,000. For those continuing to drive despite disqualification, the fine has been raised from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000.

Taxi aggregators violating license laws will have to shell out a bomb in the shape of Rs 1 lakh. Overspeeding - a common issue on the road - will now invite a penalty of between Rs 1,000-Rs 2,000. For those who drive without insurance, there will be consequences in the form of a fine of Rs 2,000; those driving without helmets will have to pay Rs 1,000 and may face a three-month suspension of their license.

The government has also said that overloading of vehicles will now draw a penalty of Rs 20,000. Also, the guardian will be held responsible for any road offense by any under-age driver. The guardian will have to pay Rs 25,000, as well as undergo three years in jail and the registration will be cancelled.

The West Bengal government will not implement the new motor vehicles act when it comes into effect, as it does not agree with the suggestions of the bill such as exorbitant fine on errant drivers, the state Assembly was informed on Tuesday.

"The new motor vehicles act will not be implemented in Bengal as of now. We are not on the same page over the huge fine that has been suggested will be imposed on drivers. We are still discussing the matter with the Centre," Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari said while replying to the question and answer session in the assembly.