HYDERABAD: India has the highest number of road deaths in the world, with more than 350 people losing their lives on roads every year. To curb the number of traffic violations, Transport Department of the government of Telangana has proposed to amend the state Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 by inserting new Rules.
Offenders will be awarded penalty points for offences. Driving drunk in a public vehicle and use of a vehicle while committing robbery/chain snatching and other similar offences will gain a rule-breaker five penalty points, while smaller offences like riding a two-wheeler without a helmet will earn one a single point. "This has been done to bring discipline to the roads and for the safety of commuters," a Transport Department official said. The points will remain on record for 24 months and once a driver exceeds twelve points, his/her driving license will be suspended for one year.
If a person, whose driving license had been suspended and later revoked, accumulates twelve points again, the license will be suspended for two more years. If people with a learner's license gather five points during the validity period, it will result in cancellation of the license. Violators will get an opportunity to reduce their penalty points by three, if they undergo motor vehicle accident prevention course from an recognised institution. The 'remedial service' will only be available twice to rule-breakers in a period of two consecutive years.