Driving Offences: Cabinet okays tougher law

The cabinet yesterday approved a draft law requiring education up to at least eighth grade for getting driving licences, and providing for harsher punishments for offences on roads.  

The law, “Road Transport Act-2017”, also makes mandatory minimum fifth-grade education to work as a helper or assistant.

"Big changes have been brought into the draft law as the transport sector nowadays has become very vibrant,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Twelve-point driving licences will be issued after the law is brought into effect.

Every time a driver will violate rules like exceeding the speed limit, one point will be reduced. His licence will be cancelled for losing all the points, Shafiul Alam explained.  

This new system reflects laws of different countries on issuing driving licences, he added.

As per the proposed law, the punishment for driving any vehicle without a license is maximum 6 months jail or Tk 50,000 fine or both. Earlier according to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance-1983 the punishment was three months' jail or Tk 25,000 fine or both.

The new law also incorporates provisions of punishment for using a cell phone while driving and of transport management. Severe penalties ranging from one month jail to three-month jail and Tk 5,000–Tk 35,000 fine will also be imposed for driving on the wrong side, not fastening seat belts, pillion passengers on motorbikes not using helmets etc. 

According to the 2017 act, helpers or assistants have to get licence. They will face maximum one month jail or Tk 25,000 fine or both for working without licences. The law also provides for maximum one year jail or Tk 1 lakh fine or both for driving a vehicle without a fitness certificate. 

The cabinet secretary said that under section-57 of the proposed law police would be able to arrest any accused without any warrant in case of cognizable offence. The punishment will be maximum 6 months' jail or Tk 50,000 fine or both.