The Karnataka government is looking at increasing fines for several traffic offences by three to four times as part of a wider effort to deal with dangerous driving, repeat violations and the city’s growing traffic congestion.
The government is also considering action against the manufacture and sale of half helmets that do not provide adequate protection to two wheeler riders.
The proposals were discussed at a joint meeting of the Home and Transport departments at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, attended by Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh.
The proposals have already been prepared by the two departments and could be placed before the Cabinet after a legal opinion is obtained.
For Bengaluru motorists, one of the significant changes under consideration is a points based system for traffic violations. Under the proposed system, points would be added to a driver’s record for different offences. Once the accumulated points cross a specified limit, the person’s driving licence could be suspended.
The idea is to make repeated violations more consequential rather than treating every traffic offence as an isolated incident.
Officials also discussed identifying motorists who have committed five or more traffic violations and taking further action against them.
The government is looking at ways to recover unpaid traffic fines and, in serious or repeated cases, detain or blacklist vehicles.
This could require changes to existing laws and rules, which will be examined before the proposals are taken forward.
Dangerous riding may attract steeper fines
The meeting also focused on offences that are not only traffic violations but also contribute to congestion and put other road users at risk.
Dangerous riding of motorcycles was among the offences discussed for higher penalties. Fines for such violations could be increased substantially under the proposed revision.
The move comes amid continuing concerns over reckless riding, traffic rule violations and road safety in Bengaluru.
Half helmets under scrutiny
The government is also turning its attention to half helmets.
Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh said reports suggest that the half helmets commonly used by some two wheeler riders do not offer adequate safety.
The meeting therefore discussed measures to prevent the manufacture and sale of such helmets.
Any move in this direction would require the government to examine the existing legal framework before a final decision is taken.
Repeat offenders may have to undergo training
Another proposal discussed at the meeting is mandatory road safety training for people whose driving licences are suspended or cancelled because of repeated violations.
Instead of simply paying a fine and returning to the road, repeat offenders could be required to undergo training covering defensive driving, traffic rules and safer driving practices.
Officials also discussed recording completion of the training through the relevant digital systems.
The meeting was attended by Home Department Additional Chief Secretary Rajender Singh Katharia, Transport Department Secretary Deepa Cholan, Director General and Inspector General of Police Dr M.A. Saleem, Transport Commissioner Dr Selvamani, KSRTC Managing Director K.B. Shivakumar, BMTC Managing Director Raghunandanamurthy, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police Karthik Reddy and other senior officials.