Drunk driving to be fined Rs 10,000
KATHMANDU, March 13: The government has drafted a law to impose a fine 20 times higher than the current penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport included this proposal in the draft of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2081 BS.
The Ministry of Finance has already approved the draft. According to Shankar Singh Dhami, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, officials have sent the draft to the Ministry of Law for approval. Once the Law Ministry approves it, they will forward it to the Cabinet for final endorsement. Dhami, who also heads the Transport Management Division, said the draft proposes significantly higher fines for traffic rule violations than the existing law.
Section 164 of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049 BS, imposes a fine of Rs 500 for the first offence, Rs 1,000 for the second, and Rs 1,500 for the third if a driver operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. However, the new draft law proposes an immediate fine of Rs 10,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
Govt proposes significant increase in traffic rule violation fi...
Similarly, the draft sets a Rs 500 fine for honking in restricted areas. It also penalizes pedestrians who violate road discipline, imposing fines of up to Rs 500. Additionally, drivers must pay a Rs 1,000 fine for operating a vehicle without the required documents and another Rs 1,000 for using a mobile phone while driving.
The draft law fines passengers, drivers, or conductors Rs 1,000 for littering from a vehicle onto the road. It also imposes a Rs 50,000 fine on anyone driving a stolen vehicle and up to Rs 1,000 on those who engage in rude or offensive behavior, including drivers, conductors, passengers, and pedestrians. Transport inspectors and police officers have the authority to enforce these fines.
Similarly, police officers can fine anyone Rs 1,000 for smoking while driving. The draft also imposes a Rs 1,000 fine on those who fail to wear a helmet or seatbelt. It penalizes unauthorized individuals who install, remove, alter, or destroy traffic signs with fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000.
The draft law fines drivers between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 for operating a vehicle with open doors or in an unfit condition. It also imposes a Rs 5,000 fine for exceeding the speed limit and a Rs 25,000 fine for reckless driving that endangers others.
Drivers who overtake improperly must pay a Rs 2,000 fine, while public vehicle operators who fail to display fare rate lists face a Rs 1,000 fine. The draft also penalizes those who violate lane discipline or change lanes without signaling, imposing a fine of up to Rs 1,000. Additionally, it fines drivers up to Rs 1,000 for operating vehicles on sidewalks.
Embossed number plate mandatory
The draft law mandates embossed number plates for all vehicles. The size and color of the plates will vary based on the type of vehicle. The draft states, "Until all vehicles are fitted with embossed number plates before this law comes into effect, standard number plates will remain valid."
Proposal for including road safety education in curriculum
The draft law mandates the relevant authorities to include road safety education in school-level textbooks to reduce traffic accidents. It also authorizes ministries, departments, and transport-related bodies to conduct or facilitate traffic awareness programs as needed.
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