The new Motor
Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019 is sure to burn a hole in the pockets of frequent
offenders but will also see discipline on the road. With the hike in fines
announced, but not executed and implemented since they have not yet been
notified, many fee l that they are too steep. And yet some have demanded an
improvement in potholed ridden roads before implementing the new fines, without
quite confirming what the connection between the two are. Cafe joins the
conversation
When the memes
start tumbling out after a government announcement, it’s the easiest way to understand if a move has
had a reaction. With several memes showing underdressed men, riding two
wheelers with lines like ‘I just paid my fines” or a man with a begging bowl
and tattered clothes saying “I’m not a beggar, but I just used up my life’s
saving to pay my motor fines”, the message has hit home. People are mortified
The new Motor Vehicle
(Amendment) Act 2019 has certainly imposed a fear factor, for the sheer amount
charged for ofences and the inclusion of longer jail terms for some violations
like driving without a license or driving drunk
According to Minister
for Transport, Government of Goa, Mauvin Godinho, the implementation may begin
from January 1, 2020. But are Goans ready to pay high fines, some of which may
even require a visit to court?
Rohan Govekar, the
author of ‘Oh My Goddess’, has been quite vocal about his views. “Hikes in
fines are a welcome move, given that the existing fines have failed to bring in
any fear of breaking the law. In all developed countries, fines are
exorbitantly high just to ensure that traffic flows smoothly and safely. In
fact, along with increased fines, we expect to see better enforcement about
lesser known offences like jumping traffic signals, cutting lanes and not
stopping for pedestrians on a zebra crossing,” says Rohan.
Fabian Gonsalves from
Calangute says, “I feel the fine is justified to an extent of neglect of road
safety on the commuter’s side, despite the police’s efforts to encourage
wearing a helmet. But along with those fines, do we have proper roads? Is there
proper parking facility? Is there proper water drainage from the main roads?
Wearing a helmet and hiking the fines are not enough. Will that money be
utilised to repair interior roads and potholed roads? Fear of fines is one
agenda, but when we speak of ‘road safety’ it has to be the responsibility of
the lawmakers and the commuters as well.”
Gayatridas
Gauntankar, a noted veterinary doctor, feels that the fines are justified. “The
government very well has the right to do so. However, safe roads and traffic
infrastructure should be provided. The hike in fines definitely will help in
curbing rash riding, amalgamating a sense of road safety and ultimately
reducing accidents. In my view, it’s worth it. Only the infrastructure should
be proper or else there is no point paying a hefty road tax. It should be worth
it.”
Billy Fernandes from
Sirsaim has been drawing illustrations highlighting the plight of bad roads in
Goa. “The hike in fines should not matter to the public following the basic
rules. However, the infrastructure has to be on par to the hike that is being
implemented. Secondly, are we ready for the implementation or is this a new
avenue for the cops to make more money? I am sure the authorities have weighed
in all the pros and cons and gone ahead with this,” says Billy.
Vivina Nasnodkar, Ex
Corporator of CCP, says, “First of all, traffic fines are huge. If at all the
government is going ahead with such fines, it should be subject to potholes,
failure of electricity at night, animals on roads and no sign board for which
fatal accidents are taking place. The government should ensure to give
compensation and punish /imprison the appropriate authority for failure. Only
then will the government be on the right track.”
Stanford Fernandes
from Anjuna says, “Rules are to be followed by all. I abide by the traffic
rules for my safety. However, I see so many people especially from Goa that
don’t wear the helmet or seatbelt because they are going nearby or they know
the cops, which is entirely wrong. I wear the seatbelt or helmet for my safety
not the cops.
However,
seeing the current situation of the roads, the hike in fines makes no sense. We
deserve good roads to ride or drive on as well. Most roads these days are death
traps. Also, some more rules that are really important are having policemen or
CCTV cameras that would impose heavy fines, be it day or night in various
places; unnecessary high beam at night that can affect the other driver or
rider and could cause an accident; overtaking without use of signals; over
speeding in places that have speed limits, especially village and cities; and
wrong parking on the road and obstruction. People still park on the Atal Setu
at night, which can cause major accidents.”
