Useful information on traffic matters

USEFUL INFORMATION ON TRAFFIC MATTERS IN THE FORM OF FAQs: 
Dy.S.P. Traffic udaipur
What documents should a driver carry when driving?
• Driving license (in original).
• Registration certificate (certified copy duly attested) for private passenger vehicles and original for transport vehicles.
• Insurance Certificate (certified copy duly attested) for private passenger vehicles and original for transport vehicles
• Valid PUC Certificate (in original)
• Fitness Certificate & Permit (original incase of transport vehicles)                                                                             
• Who is authorized to collect the traffic fine on the spot?
•  Traffic officer of and above the rank of  Sub Inspector duly authorized in this regard.

• If I don't have money to pay Compound Money, what is the procedure?
As per Sec.206 (2) of M.V.Act, 1988, if you decide not to pay spot fine, you will be issued a challan with instructions to appear in the court on the date given by the enforcement officer. However, to make your presence ensure in the court of law, your DL in original will be kept in Police custody under acknowledgement and shall be sent along with the challan to the court taking cognizance.
I have received a notice from the Traffic Notice branch? What shall I do?
(I) You may remit the compounding amount at the following locations:-
(A)  By cash ( Daily at Traffic Office Udaipole :   9.30 am to 8.00 pm  )

What is the rule regarding seat belts? Is it binding using seat belts while driving in interior areas or by lanes?
The driver and the person seated in the front seat must wear the seat belts while vehicle is in motion (U/S 138 CMVR r/w 177 MVA).
What is the rule for use of mobile phone?
As per section 184 M.V. Act, 1988, driving with a mobile phone is considered to be a rash and negligent Act punishable under section 184 M.VA. No driver while driving or riding a motor vehicle (including two wheelers) shall use a mobile phone.
Can other occupants of the motor vehicle use the mobile phone?
Yes. Other than driver, occupants of the motor vehicle can use mobile phone
If I am a doctor; can I use my mobile phone in an emergency while driving?
No, Exemption is not given to any one in the M.V Act or Rules regarding this. You can stop the vehicle with all precautions at authorized halting place and  then take the call.
What are the duties of a driver when his vehicle is involved in an accident resulting in death/bodily injury/damage to property?
The duties are as under:
• Arrange for medical help.
•  Inform the police
• In case the vehicle is carrying dangerous goods, keep everyone away, avoid smoking in the vicinity and take emergency action as displayed on the vehicle.
Under what conditions is the towing of a vehicle allowed?
Vehicle abandoned or left unattended or Parked in a parking restricted zone or Parked in a way causing inconvenience to other road user can be towed away. You may also refer Rule 20 of Rules of Road Regulations, 1989.
What is the punishment for drunken driving/driving under the influence of any drug?
If a driver is caught driving a vehicle with alcohol in his blood exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml or he is under the influence of a drug to such an extent that he is incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle. The offence is punishable under section 185 MVA.  The violator shall be punished for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, if committed within three years of the commission of the previous similar offence, with imprisonment for a term which extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.
When can the authorities detain a vehicle?
Authorities can detain a vehicle in the following circumstances:
• Vehicle being driven by an individual without valid driving license (violation of Sec. 3 MVA).
• Driving by a minor (violation of Sec. 4 MVA)
• Vehicle being driven without registration (violation of Sec. 39 MVA)
• Transport vehicle being driven without valid Permit or contravention of permit conditions etc. (violation of Sec. 66 (1) MVA)
• Violation of directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in CWP No. 13029/85 – M.C. Mehta Vs. UOI & Ors. punishable under Sec. 66 (1)/192 A MVA.

What are the consequences for driving without a license?
Vehicle is liable to be impounded under Sec. 207 MVA along with a fine up to Rs. 500/- and Vehicle owner also compounding 1000/-
Is wearing helmet compulsory for Scooter and Motorcycle riders?
Yes. Wearing helmet is compulsory for rider under the provisions of Sec. 129 MVA. Violators will be charged U/sec.177 of M.V.Act-1988 for which fine is Rs.100/- (Sikhs wearing turban are exempted under Sec. 129 MVA,
What is the spot fine for drunken driving?
There is no spot fine for drunken driving. All the challans have to be sent to court for cognizance as the offence is non compoundable. Only court is empowered to impose the fine.
What happens if I don’t appear in the court?
If you fail to appear in court, summon followed by warrant will be issued from the court. This may lead to arrest and stiffer penalty.
After being booked for drunken driving can I continue to drive myself?
No. you will have to arrange for an alternate driver who is not drunk or take a cab leaving the vehicle in the police custody which will be released after you have settled the case in the court.
What about pollution check?
It is mandatory to carry Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC).
Why have I received a violation notice for the vehicle I have already sold?
Notices are generated by computers picking up address from transport department records. The very fact you have received a notice means that vehicle continues to be on your name in the records even though you might have sold it. Selling the vehicle without insisting on change of ownership is a very dangerous practice. Signing a delivery note is no guarantee of change of ownership. You have to insist on buyer registering the vehicle in his name, failing which you have to get it done yourself at RTO. Unless you do so, you will continue to receive violation notices. Still worse can happen if the vehicle is involved in a fatal accident or terrorist activity or any other objectionable act. You will have to suffer the consequences.
I crossed the stop line seeing green signal. But traffic in front of me was not moving and I got penalized.
Even if signal is green you should not enter the junction unless the tail of the traffic in front of you is moving. Otherwise you will create gridlock and block cross traffic too.
I crossed stop line before the signal turning red, while it was still yellow. But I could not clear the junction due to congestion ahead. Why was I fined for signal jumping?
Yellow signal is provided only for those vehicles which have already crossed stop line to clear the junction. You are not expected to enter the junction when the green light has already changed to yellow.
Why are junctions painted cris-cross in the center?
Cris-Cross marking indicates “no standing”. Unless one is sure of clearing the junction, he should not enter the junction even if the signal light is green, because it will block the cross traffic and lead to grid-lock.
I don’t see speed limit boards in the city?
It is not possible to put boards all over 3000 km road length in the entire city. Only on important road stretches the speed limit boards have been displayed.
I got fined for parking violation. But board was at least 20 m away from where I parked?
It is not possible to put one board for each vehicle. “No parking” is notified by gazette notifications and then boards are erected. Each board indicates that roughly 50 m each side of boards is no-parking area. That is why boards are put 100 m apart.
What action is taken if a person refuses to pay the fine?
If a violator refuses to pay a spot fine, he would be required to surrender his original driving licence - for which the officer concerned would give an acknowledgment. The case will then go to court, and the offender will have to go by the decision taken by it. As per Section 206 (2) of the Motor Vehicle Act - 1988, if you do not pay a spot fine, you will be issued a challan with instructions to appear in court at the given date and time.
How do I know how much can I drink to remain within permissible limit?

There is no hard and fast rule as it depends on the body constitution, gender, whether; liquor is taken on empty stomach or with the food or the duration over which liquor the consumed. Generally one bottle of beer / 30ml Whisky / Rum will keep the person below the permissible limit of 30 units. However, our metabolison burns about 10 units in an hour. And therefore, larger quantity consumed over longer duration will still keep the person within permissible limits. However, these measures are indicative in nature.

Can motorists use mobile phones while driving?
Motorists cannot use mobile phones while driving vehicles, and that includes two-wheelers. There are no exceptions to this rule, not even doctors.
When people are involved in an accident, or are witness to one, what should they do?
If a motorist has caused the accident, he should arrange for medical aid and inform the police immediately. If a person is witness to an accident, he should help the victim and note down the details of the accused person before informing the police. Witnesses should not torch vehicles or indulge in anti-social activities. The public should be pro-active, not destructive.

Q. When stopped for a traffic violation, why do traffic cops move ignition key?
A. It is not a good practice.  However, let us not forget that large number of violators try to run away when detained by traffic police; some even endangering life of policemen while trying to run over them.  You are certainly not the one like them but many others are.
Q. What is the limit for tinted glasses in a vehicle?
Accoring to rules glasses of your vehicle should have certain transparency levels. Front and back glasses must have 70% transparency and side glasses must have 50% transparency.
Q. What can be written on RC plate. Is writing any government name, organisation name, party symbol, national flag, one's post etc permitted.
A. On RC plate nothing except your RC number should be written and that too in permitted font and space. You should never write any government name, dealer name, your post, party, national or party flag or anything on RC plate. You can be prosecuted for RC violation and a fine of minimum Rs. 2,000 can be imposed on you. Even on government owned vehicle nothing should be written on RC plate. Details of font dimesion etc is enclosed in the link below.