Unpaid Fines Might Now Lead To Dark Nights
It is no secret that traffic rules are followed mostly in the breach in India, and the physical infrastructure in cities and towns is not conducive to orderly vehicular movement. What is also true is that fine challans are ignored by motorists, since there are no serious consequences. The Supreme Court has now come up with suggestions on how governments can realise the accumulated unpaid fines of…
India's traffic rules are often disregarded, and the city infrastructure fails to promote smooth driving. The Supreme Court has proposed a solution to recover unpaid fines, which total Rs 45,000 crore, out of the Rs 20,000 crore currently outstanding. The court suggested linking e-challans with electricity bills to force non-payers to lose power.
Furthermore, the court advised linking challans to vehicle registration, fitness, and air quality permits. Other potential solutions include tying fines to income tax, GST, and immigration databases. The court must ensure due process and eliminate discretionary cancellations to maintain fairness. The court's focus on accountability is appreciated, as governmental indifference towards traffic fine orders has persisted for over a decade.
The court should also establish a competent National Road Safety Board to address the lack of paved roads, insufficient footpaths, free street parking, and inadequate trauma care facilities. Penalties should be imposed on officials responsible for poor road conditions, bad enforcement, and faulty infrastructure to deter future neglect.
Additionally, the court emphasized the necessity of strict enforcement as a crucial missing element in road safety.
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