Zero Tolerance for Dangerous and Underage Driving: Harpal Singh Cheema
Chandigarh: To strengthen road safety enforcement and improve compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced a series of comprehensive measures on Wednesday. The new directives establish a transparent mechanism for citizens to dispute wrongful e-challans and enforce stricter penalties for dangerous driving, juvenile offenses, and outdated vehicle records.
Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, the Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Transport Department has established District Grievance Redressal Cells (DRCs) across the state to ensure the efficient and jurisdiction-specific disposal of e-challan disputes. He said, “Aggrieved citizens now have 45 days to challenge a wrongly issued challan. To prove their case, vehicle owners can submit supporting evidence to the DRC, including dashcam footage, photographs, video clips, or witness statements.”
Highlighting the need for accurate vehicle registration data, the Transport Minister warned that failing to update ownership or address records will now invite strict penalties. He said, “Under the Motor Vehicles Act, owners must update the Registering Authority about a change of address within 30 days. For ownership transfers, authorities must be informed within 14 days if the transfer occurs within Punjab, and within 45 days if it is outside the state. Failure to comply will attract a penalty of Rs. 500 for the first offense and Rs. 1,500 for each subsequent offense.”
The Transport Minister said that the state government has officially categorised dangerous driving as a non-compoundable offense, and it cannot be settled simply by paying a fine on the spot. He further added, “Offenses under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act such as jumping red lights, violating stop signs, driving against the authorised flow of traffic, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will now face strict legal proceedings.”
The Transport Minister Cheema also issued a stern warning regarding underage driving, confirming that juvenile offenses will not be compounded. “Parents, guardians, or vehicle owners will be held strictly liable in the event of a driving offense committed by a minor. Repercussions include heavy fines, the immediate cancellation of the vehicle’s registration, and the minor being disqualified from obtaining a driving license until the age of 25”, he cautioned.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to improving road discipline and enhancing public safety, the Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that these newly notified provisions are intended to facilitate effective enforcement across Punjab. ”We appeal to all road users to strictly comply with traffic laws and statutory requirements,” said the Minister.
