Top 8 Traffic Rules In India That Every Two-Wheeler Rider Should Know

The statistics for road accidents and casualties in India are alarming. Did you know that more than 5 lakh road accidents take place in India every year, out of which 1.5 lakh people never make it alive and 3 lakh are left crippled for life? 

With an aim to curb the rise of road related vehicle mishaps, more stringent traffic rules have been imposed from September 2019, by the Indian Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act. The sharp increase in traffic penalties has been done so that motorists and two-wheeler riders take traffic rules and regulations more seriously and do not violate them for the sake of their own safety and that of others.    

These are the top 8 traffic rule violations with their updated penalties and fines that you should be aware of. It will serve as a quick guide and reminder for you every time you turn on the ignition key to ride your bike.

Driving Without a Valid Driving License

It is obvious that you should have their driving license with you when riding your bike and it should not have expired. Telling the traffic cop that you forgot your driving license at home or were just about to get it renewed may not work anymore. You will have to pay up a whopping Rs.5000 instead of the earlier Rs.500 as fine for violating this fundamental traffic rule.  

Driving an Uninsured Vehicle

Say you were on your bike, jumped a traffic signal and got unlucky. If you don’t have bike insurance or your policy has expired, you have committed an offence. According to the new traffic rules you can be penalised with a fine of Rs.2000 (first time) or Rs.4000 (second time) and/or imprisonment up to 3 months.

Getting your vehicle insured is compulsory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. You should have at least third-party insurance to cover your liability in case your car or bike causes third-party injury, death or damage in an accident. Timely bike insurance renewal is a must.

Buying bike insurance is more than just fulfilling your legal duty as a bike owner. Comprehensive bike insurance will safeguard your bike from damages due to accidents, theft and other disasters.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Drunken Driving)

This is a traffic rule that is very well known. Yet there are many who knowingly or rather daringly violate this rule of not driving or riding a vehicle after they are a few drinks down. If you are caught riding your two-wheeler in an intoxicated state you will be charged a steep fine of Rs.10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months. If you still don’t learn a lesson and commit the offence a second time, stricter action would be taken against you. As per the new rules you will be fined Rs.15,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.

Racing and Speeding

If you love to ride your bike as a thrill machine, zipping on the occasional open stretches of road or weaving in and out of traffic at dangerous speeds and racing other bikers, the new penalties for such traffic rule violations should serve as a strong deterrent. Instead of a token amount of Rs.500, first- time offenders will be fined Rs.5000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 months. If you are caught for the second time, be prepared to pay a penalty of Rs.10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.

Overloading Your Two-Wheeler

A two-wheeler is meant to carry two people, the rider and pillion rider. To prevent cases of three persons on a bike – not an uncommon sight in India, there is now a fine of Rs.1000 per extra passenger imposed for passenger overloading. Many a times, enormous amount of material, much more in size and weight than the bike itself, is piled and ferried on two-wheelers. Overloading your bike either with extra passengers or by physical load unbalances the vehicle, hampers maneuverability and is highly risky for you and others. Overloading of a two-wheeler carries a fine of Rs.2000 and disqualification of your driving license for 3 months.

Not Wearing a Helmet

Despite knowing how crucial and life-saving wearing a helmet is, many two-wheeler riders chose to ignore this step while riding a bike. So the law has stepped in to tighten the rules. The revised penalty is Rs.1000 and disqualification of your license for 3 months.

Dangerous or Rash Driving

A common example of an offence under the dangerous or rash driving traffic rule is talking on the phone while driving. If you are in the habit of taking or making calls while riding your bike, know that the fine can range from Rs.1000 – Rs.2000 and and/or imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year.

Over-Speeding

Speed limits at certain places are set for the safety of motorists. Violating them is a traffic offence. For a LMV (light motor vehicle) you can be fined up to Rs.2000 for over-speeding.