Hefty Traffic Penalties: Despite Relaxation, These Violations Could Land You In Trouble

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Odisha government extended the relaxation window for enforcement by three more months to facilitate people obtain necessary documents to comply with the new Motor Vehicles Act, the State Transport Authority (STA) on Friday clarified that strict enforcement against dangerous and life threatening actions will continue.

In a letter to all district Collectors, SPs and Deputy Commissioners of Police (Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar), the Transport Commissioner today directed to carry out strict enforcement against 10 major traffic violations.

The traffic violations which will attract fines as per the existing provisions include -
1. Driving at a speed exceeding the specified limit (over speeding)
2. Red Light Jumping
3. Drunken Driving
4. Driving Against Flow Of Traffic
5. Using Mobile Phone While Driving
6. Dangerous Driving
7. Triple Riding on Two Wheeler
8. Not Wearing Helmet
9. Not Wearing Seat Belt
10. Overloading

In its letter, the STA has categorically stated that "In case where an offender is found to be involved in any one or more violations mentioned above, the documents of the violating vehicle user will be checked.”

However, routine checking of documents in respect of vehicle users needs to be avoided, unless input received regarding stolen vehicles etc. At the time of checking, maximum three to four vehicles may be detained at a time so as to minimize the inconvenience to public and ensuring normal flow of traffic.

Earlier yesterday, taking note of the huge rush at the offices of the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) across Odisha, the State government relaxed the enforcement of new traffic rules by another three months.