Section 184 of The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 provides a provision to punish individuals for endangering the lives of others while driving. The section is crucial to ensure public safety on the road. Learn more about this section.
Section 184 of The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 mainly addresses issues related to rash or dangerous driving. Individuals driving their vehicles at greater than the permissible speed limit can put other people’s lives in danger. Therefore, Section 184 makes provision for certain punishments for such individuals to enhance road safety of people.
But the fines and punishments have become negligible since the introduction of the act. Therefore, the Indian government has made some amendments to this section to make it more effective, with provisions for stricter punishments.
Important Changes to Section 184
Following are the key changes to Section 184 after the 2019 amendments to The Motor Vehicles Act, MV act in short.
- Dangerous Driving
Earlier, the punishment for dangerous driving was a fine of up to ₹1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months. Under the new rules, the fine can be up to ₹5,000, and the maximum imprisonment can be up to 1 year. The punishment can be more if an individual repeats the offence.
- Miscellaneous Violations
A fine of ₹10,000 can be levied on the driver if found guilty of the following offences.
- Ignoring the red light signal.
- Not stopping at a stop sign.
- Using a mobile phone or any other device while driving.
- Reckless driving.
- Wrongly overtaking a vehicle.
- Driving against the authorised traffic flow, like entering a one-way road from the wrong side.
Apart from the above offences, other offences, such as drunken driving, obstructing an emergency vehicle, etc., are covered under different sections of the MV act.
Documents to Keep While Driving
Traffic personnel has full right to stop a vehicle and enquire about certain documents. So, it is your responsibility to keep these documents in your car while driving.
- Vehicle Registration Certificate
- Current car insurance policy certificate
- Driving licence of the driver
- A valid Pollution Under Control Certificate
Tips For Safe Driving
While Section 184 encourages drivers to stay within the speed limits, individuals should consider the following factors as well to ensure their safety while driving.
- Always Wear a Seatbelt
Wearing a seatbelt is a mandatory requirement for the driver and the passenger sitting adjacent to the driver. Studies show that wearing a seatbelt can minimise the risk of injury to a great extent if the car is involved in an accident.
- Check the Car Tyres Regularly
Old and worn-out tyres can cause accidents. So, ensure that your car tyres are in good condition. Additionally, check the tyre pressure frequently, especially on a long drive.
- Keep your Car Insurance Up to Date
You should have at least a third-party car insurance policy for your vehicle, as it is a statutory requirement in India. However, third-party insurance only covers the liability for the damages caused by the insured vehicle to a third party.
So, you can consider purchasing comprehensive car insurance that covers the damages caused to the third party and the insured vehicle. However, research well and consider the car insurance provider’s reputation too before buying four-wheeler insurance.
The latest amendment in The Motor Vehicles Act and the subsequent changes in Section 184 is to ensure that people follow the traffic rules more judiciously and take ample precautions. Therefore, we must know the new rules or modifications before driving the car. Remember, your safety is the priority for you and the government.
