An auto driver in Saraiya, Muzaffarpur in Bihar was 'mistakenly' imposed with a fine of Rs 1000 for not wearing a seat belt while riding his auto on Saturday, stated a police official. However, auto drivers do not need a seat belt. According to reports, the auto driver had to pay a 'minimum' fine for not wearing a seat-belt as he was an extremely poor man. According to the Station House Officer (SHO) in Saraiya, Ajay Kumar, in a report said that the auto driver was imposed with the lowest challan amount. He further added that it was a mistake but it was done just to impose a minimum penalty on the driver.

Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 last month. The act has been implemented in several states of India from September 1. The act has increased the minimum compensation of hit and run cases ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs. 2 lakh. It has also increased fines for several offences under the Act, such as rash driving, driving without a license, drinking and driving, driving without a helmet, driving without a seat belt and so on. The fine for jumping a red light signal has also been increased. Along with this, the Central Government will also now be able to order for a recall of defected motor vehicles that may harm anyone. IPS officer Pankaj Nain has been taking the act to Twitter and urging people to follow it through funny memes. 

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Other cases

Several traffic offenders in various states across the nation are being slapped with huge fines since the new act has been implemented. Earlier in Gurgaon, an autorickshaw driver was imposed with a fine of Rs 32,500 after he had jumped the red light signal. In a similar case in Bhubaneswar, an auto driver who was found under the influence of alcohol was charged with Rs 47,500.

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