Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Implement properly Bills passed by Parliament' that was published in Newsband

Implement properly Bills passed by Parliament 

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill passed by the Lok Sabha although it is yet to be implemented. The Centre assumes a direct role in the reforms, since it will introduce guidelines that bind State governments in creating a framework for taxicab aggregators, financing insurance to treat the injured and to compensate families of the dead in hit-and-run cases, prescribing standards for electronically monitoring highways and urban roads for enforcement and modernising driver licensing.

Research shows that imposing stricter penalties tends to reduce the level of enforcement of road rules. The deterrent effect of law depends on the severity and swiftness of penalties. In such a case, the possibility of being caught for violations is high.

The amendments to the MV Act set enhanced penalties for several offences, notably drunken driving, speeding, jumping red lights and so on. Protection from harassment for good Samaritans who help accident victims is something the amended law provides.

When it comes to punishment of violations, the day the police treat the government-run city buses on par with other motorists will be the day of our deliverance. These monsters are law unto themselves and the police are mute spectators. The vehicles also violate pollution control laws brazenly. Small transport vehicles carrying commercial goods get harassed by cops all the time. Our highways are merchants of death. All in all, our roads are chaotic and deathtraps. It is not so much due to lack of laws as it is due to lack of enforcement. How much the changes will affect the actual road situation remains to be seen.

Government always promises to pay compensation and provide government jobs to the victim families of those people who die in road accidents or hit-and-run case. But, they go back on their promise. But, it is very essential to pass MV act as soon as possible.

If citizens are educated to drive their vehicles properly, if all precautions in rural and urban design is implemented with safety precautions, if auto industries' share of CSR (Socially Responsible Corporate) funds is utilized properly, then we could save several citizens, who are killed in fatal accidents, nationwide.

While strict implementation of MV act is essential, there should be monitoring of the responsible authorities as excesses by the police in harassing docile drivers and travelers by imposing arbitrary challans is common in India. The whole problem with any law is implementation and enforcement. What comes in between is rampant corruption. One can cross red signal, violate one way traffic rules, care less for helmet due to power of the corrupt.