Five big traffic challans that can cost you a month’s salary in a day: More than just drunk driving

In 2022, authorities issued 4.73 crore challans to vehicle owners of India for violating traffic rules, as per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The outstanding amount for these challans was valued at Rs 4,654.26 crore. While it certainly is a very good revenue stream for the ministry, it also sheds light on the problem of high volume traffic violations across the country on a daily basis.Over the years, the amount of fine imposed on several traffic violations has been increased in a bid to discourage bad actors. However, data shows that the problem is ever increasing and from not having a valid pollution under control certificate to over 1,300 deaths due to driving under the influence (DUI) in 2021 alone, Indian drivers are casually breaking traffic rules and putting everyone at risk. Here are five big traffic violations that the government has made expensive in its bid to make Indian roads safer.

1. Not having valid PUC:
As the country commits towards a cleaner environment and sustainable mobility, the focus is on keeping our petrol and diesel cars running clean and within prescribed emission limits. This is why vehicle owners are required to procure a pollution under control (PUC) certificate from government approved check points on an annual basis. However, data shows that many Indian vehicle owners do not take this seriously. In Delhi alone, the traffic department has issued over 1.5 lakh fine for invalid PUC up till October 15, 2023. Not having a valid PUC attracts a Rs 10,000 fine under Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

2. Driving vehicle with expired RC:
Another problem that authorities face in keeping Indian roads safe, is identifying disqualified vehicles that are being used on public roads by careless owners. To discourage such drivers the ministry has ramped up the fine for driving a vehicle which has an expired registration certificate or has been deemed unfit by the RTO during a fitness test. Driving such a disqualified vehicle in India attracts a fine of Rs 10,000.

3. Drink and drive:
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is one of the key contributors to road accident related deaths in the country. If caught by traffic police, a violator will face a fine of Rs 10,000 on the first offence and repeat offenders will face a fine of up to Rs 25,000. This can also include jail time.

4. Not giving way to emergency vehicles:
Another major offence that the ministry is serious about bringing down, is not giving way to emergency vehicles such as an ambulance or fire truck. We see such emergency vehicles get stuck in congested areas where other drivers are less than willing to make way for the emergency vehicle. This is a major offence and if someone is caught coming in the way of an emergency vehicle, they can face a fine of Rs 25,000 and even 3 year imprisonment.

5. Juvenile offence:
Another dangerous traffic violation is an offence committed by a juvenile driver. In such a case, if an unauthorised Juvenile commits a traffic offence then the vehicle owner will be deemed guilty and slapped with Rs 25,000 in fines and up to 3 year imprisonment.