Rules keep things in order. The Motor Vehicle Act acts as a parameter for road safety and guides the public toward better traffic management. There are provisions for many penalties in the Motor Vehicle Act for lawbreakers and traffic offenders.
India has a diverse population, and different states have traffic rules based on the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988. Recently, challan penalties and rules got amended by the new Motor Vehicle Act 2019.
The penalty charges were increased tremendously, which faced backlash from many states. These changes brought positive and negative feedback from the public. Some states updated their rules, increased the challan penalties, and started E-challans with CCTV traffic cams.
What is E-challan?
The traffic police have introduced a CCTV-guided challan system. Traffic cameras are installed at various points to keep an eye on traffic offenders. You can get a challan for overspeeding, breaking traffic signals, etc. via SMS on the offender's registered mobile number with the time, place, and other details.
Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have implemented a digitised traffic monitoring system to keep an eye on traffic rule offenders and issue E-challans. The challan penalties also got updated as per the new Motor Vehicle Act.
Challan penalties in Arunachal Pradesh
Penalties for breaking traffic signals, driving without insurance, racing, not giving way to emergency vehicles, etc., used to be very low. Now, the challan penalties have been amended, and the Arunachal Pradesh Traffic E challan system has been integrated to efficiently track and punish offenders.
Here are some common traffic violations and their penalties in Arunachal Pradesh:
Disobeying traffic rules/traffic police: Rs. 500/1000 (depending upon the type of vehicle)
Driving without a seatbelt or helmet and tripling on two-wheelers: Fine of Rs. 1000
Driving without registration/expired Registration: Fine of Rs 2000 (increases for 4-wheelers and second-time offenders)
Using mobile phones while driving/rash or dangerous driving: Rs. 5000 for first, Rs. 10,000 for 2nd-time offenders.
Driving without a licence/expired licence: Fine of Rs. 5000.
Not giving way to emergency vehicles: Fine up to Rs. 10,000
Traffic lights violation: Rs. 5000 for 1st, Rs. 10,000 for second timers.
Overspeeding: Rs. 1000 for LMV and Rs.2000 for Medium Passenger Vehicle
The list of challan penalties is quite long, with changes per vehicle type and the number of offences. You can access full lists on the official Parivahan website of Arunachal Pradesh.
Challan penalties in Sikkim
Sikkim has also implemented an E-challan system to keep a close watch on traffic rules offenders. The challan penalties have increased significantly as per the new Motor Vehicle Act. Citizens can now pay Sikkim e challan online easily through Park+.
Some of these penalties were not considered traffic rules violations earlier and now attract hefty fines. Here are some common traffic violations and their penalties in Sikkim:
Drunk driving/ driving under the influence of banned substances: Rs 10,000 fine for the first time.
Driving without a seatbelt or helmet: Rs. 1000 fine
Tripling on two-wheelers: Rs. 1000 fine for first-time offenders
Driving without mandatory Insurance: Rs. 2000 fine ( can increase for 4-wheelers)
Using mobile phones while driving: Rs. 5000 for the first time, Rs. 10000 for repeated offence.
Driving without a licence/expired licence: Rs 5000 fine
Not giving way to emergency vehicles: A fine of Rs. 10,000
Traffic lights violation: Rs 5000 for the first time,
Basic traffic rules or traffic police instruction violation: Rs 500 to 1000 fine
Overspeeding: a fine of Rs. 2000
These challan penalties can increase in case of repeated offences and can include jail for many offences such as drunk driving, driving without a license, Minor driving, or not giving way to emergency vehicles.
What happens if you do not pay your E-challans on time?
If you receive an e-challan in Sikkim, you must pay it within 60 days. If you fail, a police officer will reach your registered address to collect the fine. In Arunachal Pradesh, the time for paying E-challan is 15 days. You have to pay penalty charges if you fail to do so.
An unpaid challan will ultimately result in a court summons in both states, and you have to appear before a magistrate to explain the non-payment of the challan. The court can punish you with additional penalties, imprisonment, or both.
Conclusion
The new Motor Vehicle Act has been accepted and imposed by both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. With the changes in traffic laws, the public has become more considerate and people are following more traffic rules all over the country.
By being aware of these disparities, individuals can ensure compliance with each state's specific regulations, promoting road safety and avoiding unnecessary penalties. To make your parking and traffic-related experiences hassle-free, we invite you to download the Park+ app.
With Park+, you can conveniently check challans, pay fines, and stay updated on the latest traffic rules and regulations. Stay informed, avoid penalties, and experience a hassle-free journey on the roads.