The Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District has issued a public notice informing all vehicle owners and drivers to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 (as amended) in the interest of public safety and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic within the district. Any violation of the rules shall attract penal action, including fines and/or imprisonment under the relevant provisions of the Act.
As per the notification, driving without a valid Driving Licence (Sec. 181 MVA) shall be punishable with imprisonment up to 3 months or a fine up to Rs.5,000/- or both while allowing an unauthorised person or minor to drive (Sec. 180 MVA) carries the same penalty of imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to Rs.5,000/- or both. Driving without wearing a seat belt or carrying occupants not wearing seat belts (Sec. 194B MVA) attracts a fine of Rs.1,000/- and riding or driving without protective headgear (Sec. 129 r/w 194 D MVA) also carries a fine of Rs.1,000/-.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Sec. 185 MVA) is punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months or fine of Rs.10,000/- or both for the first offence and for second or subsequent offences within three years, imprisonment up to 2 years (minimum 6 months) or a fine of Rs.15,000/- or both. Using or plying a transport vehicle without a valid permit or violating permit conditions (Sec. 66 r/w 192A MVA) shall attract imprisonment up to 6 months and fine of Rs.10,000/- for the first offence and for subsequent offences, imprisonment up to 1 year (minimum 6 months) or fine of Rs.10,000/- or both.
Using an uninsured vehicle (Sec. 146 r/w Sec. 196 MVA) shall be punishable with imprisonment up to 3 months or fine of Rs. 2,000/- or both for the first offenc, and for subsequent offences, imprisonment up to 3 months or fine of Rs. 4,000/- or both. Driving without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) or violating emission standards (Sec. 190(2) MVA r/w CMVR) carries imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to Rs.10,000/- or both for the first offence, along with disqualification for holding licence for 3 months where applicable and for subsequent offences, imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Rs.10,000/- or both.
Dangerous driving (Sec. 184 MVA) shall be punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months or fine or both for the first offence and for second or subsequent offences within three years, imprisonment up to 2 years or fine or both. Use of tinted or black film or any material on safety glass in violation of CMVR Rule 100 and directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court shall be proceeded against violators under the applicable provisions of the Act and Rules. In cases of driving by a juvenile (Sec. 199A MVA), the guardian or owner shall be liable to a fine of Rs. 25,000/- and imprisonment up to 3 years along with other consequences as provided under the Act.
For other contraventions where no specific penalty is provided (Sec. 177 MVA), the penalty shall be Rs. 500/- for the first offence and Rs.1,500/- for subsequent offences.
All vehicle owners and drivers are advised to ensure that their vehicles are operated only with valid documents including Registration Certificate, Driving Licence, Insurance, Permit (where applicable), Fitness, Tax, Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) and other statutory compliances and to strictly follow all safety requirements in the interest of public safety. Executive Magistrates, Police personnel and Enforcement personnel from the office of the District Transport Officer (DTO) will conduct regular checking across the district and the public is urged to cooperate with the authorities and comply with all traffic regulations to ensure safety and order on the roads.