Telangana: New ‘Penalty Point System’ for Traffic Rule Violators

Hyderabad Police to Introduce ‘Penalty Point System’ for Traffic Rule Violators

A penalty point system is one in which a driver’s licensing authority, police force, or other organization issues cumulative demerits, or points to drivers on conviction for road traffic offenses. Points may either be added or subtracted, depending on the particular system in use. A major offense may lead to more than the maximum allowed points being issued.

Points are typically applied after driving offenses are committed, and cancelled a defined time, typically a few years, afterwards, or after other conditions are met; if the total exceeds a specified limit the offender may be disqualified from driving for a time, or the driving license may be revoked. The frequency of breaking the traffic rules is very high in India itself. There is no denying the fact that India may be on the top in terms of traffic collisions, road accidents, reckless driving and not following traffic rules.

Considering all this, Hyderabad Government has finally taken an initiative in putting an end to traffic violations. Hyderabad traffic Police has launched a 12 Penalty Point System for Traffic Violations in their quest to improve Road Safety and reduce journey times through process based enforcement against Traffic Violations. This will entail automatic suspension of driving licenses in case of frequent violations and failure to comply with the 12 points.

According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy, the Penalty Point System is being introduced for the first time in India to inculcate self discipline among commuters with a view to transform Hyderabad city into a safe place for commuting and delightful place for driving. The implementation of the Penalty Point System came into effect from August 1. The rule is expected to go Nationwide which indeed is a wise step taken by Indian government to ensure maximum security on the roads.

The Government of Telangana issued a G.O Ms. No. 26, Dated. 24-4-2017 of Transport, Roads & Buildings (Tr.I) Department which introduced the system of penalty points for the Traffic Violations under M.V. Act. The intended system is supposed to work with the existing traffic violations fine. The offenders will also have to pay fines for violating any of the 12 points under mentioned: The rule will be in place under all three commissionerates of the city – Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda. Driving after your license is suspended will lead to imprisonment, officials said.

“Traffic offenders who pose a threat to fellow motorists’ safety will get penalty points against their driver’s licence. Drunk drivers, chain snatchers, accused involved in fatal road mishaps will get maximum penalty points,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) V Ravinder told reporters.

According to reports, people can also remove three penalty points from under their name, by undergoing a training course or safety program from an institution recognized by the Telangana Transport department. Traffic rules are there for a reason and now violating them is going to be close to impossible. This is a major step in making the roads a safer place to commute which is the ultimate goal of the existing traffic system.