Govt planning to digitise vehicle checking in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is planning to digitise vehicle checking after new rules coming into force on Sunday with an increase in the penalty for violations.

Transport minister A. K. Saseendran told reporters here on Saturday the present system of intercepting vehicles on the road would come to an end.

Those who will lose their licences for repeated offences will be allowed to take new ones only after a refresher course and social service.

 A system for the same will be implemented in consultation with health and social welfare departments.

In the case of drink driving, one can be jailed up to six months with a fine of Rs 10,000. For a repeat offender, the penalty will be Rs 15,000 with two years of jail term.

Driving without a licence will attract a fine of Rs 5,000 for drivers and Rs 5,000 for owners.

For children under the age of 18 caught driving a vehicle, parents, guardians or vehicle owners will have to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 and three years' imprisonment, besides cancellation of its registration for a year. Moreover, the child who drove the vehicle will be issued a licence only after 25 years instead of 18, said the minister.

Driving without helmets and seat belts will attract Rs 1,000 as a penalty. The helmet will be compulsory for pillion drivers also.

If more than the number of prescribed passengers are taken in a transport vehicle, the owner should pay Rs 200 for each one above the capacity.

The fine for speeding in light vehicles is Rs 2000 and for medium-heavy vehicles Rs 4000.

The licence of the driver will get cancelled for repeated offence.

For offences like jumping a red light, ignoring the stop sign, using a mobile phone while driving, overtaking dangerously or violating one way, the punishments included imprisonment of six months to one year or a fine of Rs 5000 or both.