There is a common perception that we Indians are really good at drafting laws/proposals and many other things which we do on paper. And we are ONLY good at doing this on paper, definitely not in executing them. Colonial masters have taught us this skill really well when we were enslaved. While there is an overall agreement that our roads are now-a-days becoming death traps due to violations of traffic rules. At the end of the day to whom the task of enforcing this law is given. Many argue that these stricter rules would only lead to encouragement of traffic inspectors who strive from the illegal gratification they normally demand when a motorist is caught when his pants are down. What can a law simply do if the infrastructure is not there, I am talking everything from traffic signals, accessible roads, moral officers etc., but I am not asking for high speed auto bahns.
Its max 10,000 for drunken driving and there seems to be different criteria based on the level of alcohol intake.
Alcohol per 100ml of Blood
|
Offence
|
Max punishment
|
30mg
|
No
|
NA
|
30-60mg
|
Yes
|
6 months imprisonment &/ Rs 2000
|
60-150mg
|
Yes
|
1 Year &/ Rs 4000
|
If the above is repeated within three years
|
Yes
|
3 Years &/ 8000
|
Above 150mg
|
Yes
|
2years &/ Rs 5000
|
If the above is repeated within three years
|
Yes
|
4 years &/ Rs 10000 and license cancellation
|
When I see these new specifications I am sure that the sales of the electronic meters which are used to measure these levels would go high and the companies who promote these devices are going to make money.
For the sake of argument if we agree that the high speeding motorists deserve penalties to a greater extent, because they endanger a human life, but should it be a max of 10 years when the conviction of a corrupted public servant under Prevention of Corruption Act sec:7 it is only 5 years. Now our question can be who is more dangerous to the society? Is it the corrupted government official or high speeding motorist? It would be ludicrous to say that the corrupted government officials do not endanger the people and the society.
I am imagining the situation when somebody is caught violating the rules and the law enforcement officer demands illegal gratification but law does not pounce up on him but the motorist. Does it take to be a Mamta bannergi’s nephew to get an exception from these new draconian rules?
For most of the laws enacted in India it starts with “this law applies to the whole of India except the state of J&K” (Art: 370 syndrome). Will this law target only urban areas of the country or to the whole of the country? How this will be enforced in rural areas, who will check whether a motorist is drunk in a remote area. There are also accidents due to bad roads and no light in highways and driving is impossible, should the state be held accountable, for sure people activism must increase to answer this question.
Election commission of India asserts that due to its voter education program it could increase the voter turnout. Allocation of budget for this cause to run campaigns on educating the motorists about safety driving could be one positive step. It’s important to ensure that the allocated funds are used for intended purpose. Once these rules have come in force we need to wait and see whether it will act as a deterrent.
There is surely going to be a huge increase in aspirants for the job of traffic police officers, as it provides an enormous opportunity to earn name, fame and not to mention illegal gratification.
