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Chandigarh, July 22
Punjab has introduced a series of tougher road safety measures, giving motorists a formal way to challenge wrongly issued e-challans while imposing stricter penalties for dangerous driving, underage driving and failure to update vehicle records.
Announcing the changes on Wednesday, Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the new measures were aimed at improving road safety, ensuring fair enforcement and strengthening compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
To address complaints about electronic traffic fines, the Transport Department has set up District Grievance Redressal Cells (DRCs) across the state. Motorists who believe an e-challan has been issued incorrectly will have 45 days to challenge it by submitting evidence such as dashcam footage, photographs, video recordings or witness statements.
The government has also tightened rules on maintaining accurate vehicle records. Vehicle owners must notify the Registering Authority within 30 days of changing their address. Ownership transfers must be reported within 14 days if they take place within Punjab and within 45 days for transfers outside the state. Those who fail to comply will face a fine of Rs 500 for a first offence and Rs 1,500 for subsequent violations.
The minister said dangerous driving offences would now be treated as non-compoundable, meaning they cannot be settled by paying an on-the-spot fine. Violations such as jumping red lights, ignoring stop signs, driving against the flow of traffic and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will instead face legal proceedings under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Cheema also warned that offences involving underage drivers would attract strict action. Parents, guardians or vehicle owners could be held responsible if a minor is caught driving. Penalties include heavy fines, cancellation of the vehicle’s registration and disqualification of the minor from obtaining a driving licence until the age of 25.
The Punjab government said the measures are intended to improve road discipline, make enforcement more transparent and encourage motorists to follow traffic laws more closely.
The North News
