₹25,000 Fine Introduced for Severe Traffic Violations Under Revised Rules

India continues to grapple with a severe road safety crisis, with over 4.80 lakh road accidents reported in 2023, resulting in more than 1.72 lakh deaths, according to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. In response to these alarming figures, authorities have introduced stricter traffic penalties aimed at curbing violations and improving road safety. The revised fines, which came into effect on March 1, 2025, target serious offences such as drunk driving, riding without a helmet, and reckless driving. Officials hope these harsher penalties will deter risky behaviour and promote greater adherence to traffic laws. However, a few states are yet to action this including Tripura while Maharashtra commenced with the revised fines from March 11.

Key Offenses and Revised Penalties

- Driving Under the Influence: Individuals caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs now face a fine of ₹10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. Repeat offenders may incur fines up to ₹15,000 and imprisonment of up to two years. 

- Offenses by Juveniles: If a juvenile is found operating a vehicle illegally, the vehicle owner or guardian will be held responsible, facing a fine of ₹25,000 and imprisonment of up to three years. Additionally, the vehicle's registration will be cancelled, and the juvenile will be ineligible to obtain a driving license until the age of 25.

- Driving Without a License: Operating a vehicle without a valid driving license now attracts a penalty of ₹5,000, a significant increase from the previous fine of ₹500.

- Overloading Vehicles: Drivers found overloading their vehicles are subject to a fine of ₹20,000, plus an additional ₹2,000 for every extra ton of load.

- Not Wearing Seatbelts or Helmets: Failure to wear a seatbelt or helmet now results in a fine of ₹1,000.

Implementation and Enforcement

The enhanced penalties are part of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to promote responsible driving and reduce road accidents. Law enforcement agencies across the country have been directed to enforce these rules strictly. Special campaigns are being conducted in various regions to monitor compliance, with authorities keeping a close watch on modified vehicles that violate traffic regulations and pose safety risks.