The Lok Sabha today passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 by voice vote. The bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to provide for road safety.
Provisions related to increasing penalties of traffic violations, addressing issues on third-party insurance, regulation of cab aggregators and road safety are proposed in the amendment.
The Bill proposes a scheme to allow cashless treatment of victims in a road accident during the golden hour.
The golden hour is defined as the time period of up to one hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is the highest.
The Bill proposes to increase the minimum compensation for hit and run cases.
In case of the death, the compensation has been raised from 25 thousand to two lakh rupees, and in case of grievous injury, it will be from 12 thousand 500 to 50 thousand rupees.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the legislation will weed out corruption, improve road safety and usher in the use of more technology to regulate traffic.
He said, it is a matter of concern that around 1.50 lakh people die and 5 lakh people injured annually in road accidents.
He appreciated the measures taken by the Tamil Nadu Government in reducing the number of accidents by 29 per cent in the last two years and the Centre will adopt the Tamil Nadu model in reducing the accidents.
Mr Gadkari made it clear that the legislation will no way encroach the rights of the States regarding their own Act in this regard. He said, the bill also proposes to develop a National Transportation Policy, in consultation with the States.
Mr Gadkari said the legislation also proposes the constitution of a National Road Safety Board, which will consult the State and the Central governments on road safety and the management of traffic.