Is There A Separate Penalty For Public Transport Violations?

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the government and law enforcement agencies have the authority to suspend or even permanently cancel a driving license for individuals who repeatedly commit serious traffic violations. This measure ensures that dangerous or irresponsible drivers are held accountable, promoting road safety for all users.

Legal Provisions for License Suspension and Cancellation

Repeated Offenses Leading to License Cancellation:

According to Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, a driving license may be suspended or revoked if a driver is involved in repeated offenses that pose a serious threat to road safety. These offenses can include:

• Drunk driving.
• Reckless or dangerous driving.
• Over-speeding.
• Driving without valid documents.
• Repeated violations of traffic rules (e.g., jumping red lights, parking in restricted areas).

Point System for License Suspension:

In some states, India follows a point-based system for traffic violations. Each violation accumulates penalty points on the driver's record. If a driver accumulates a specific number of points, their driving license may be suspended temporarily or permanently. The exact number of points and the offenses leading to suspension vary by state.

Permanent Suspension or Cancellation:

A driver may face permanent cancellation of their license if they have committed multiple severe offenses or have been involved in accidents due to gross negligence, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or hit-and-run incidents. The Road Transport Officer (RTO) or court may also impose a permanent ban if the driver poses a continuous threat to road safety.

Court Order for License Cancellation:

In extreme cases, the court may order the permanent cancellation of the license for habitual offenders. For instance, a driver convicted of causing a fatal accident due to reckless driving or under the influence of alcohol may lose their license permanently. Section 53 of the Motor Vehicles Act also allows the RTO to cancel the registration of the vehicle if the owner consistently violates traffic laws, further reinforcing the legal consequences.

Appeal Process:

If a person’s license is suspended or revoked, they have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal can be made to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) or in some cases, directly to the Transport Commissioner. However, if the appeal is not successful, the license may be permanently canceled.

Impact on Road Safety:

The goal of permanent suspension or cancellation of a driver's license is to prevent further traffic violations and reduce accidents. By removing dangerous drivers from the road, it ensures the safety of all road users. Drivers who repeatedly violate laws demonstrate a disregard for public safety, and banning them from driving helps mitigate this risk.

Example:

In 2019, a driver in Delhi was caught for drunk driving multiple times over the course of a year. After repeated offenses and several fines, the Delhi RTO decided to permanently revoke his driving license. The driver’s continuous disregard for traffic laws posed a significant risk to road safety, and the permanent license cancellation was a measure to prevent further accidents and violations.