In a bid to address the growing concerns among truck drivers over stringent provisions for hit-and-run cases under the upcoming Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the road transport and highways ministry has put forth a suggestion that could potentially revolutionize how accidents are reported. The proposal involves the use of technology by truck drivers to inform authorities about accidents promptly, thus avoiding the categorization of such incidents as hit-and-run cases under the new law.
Road transport and highways secretary, Anurag Jain, emphasized that the decision ultimately falls under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Jain highlighted the rationale behind the proposal, explaining that truck drivers often fear harm from the public if they stop after hitting a person to assist the victim. To mitigate this issue, the ministry has suggested the incorporation of a technology system that would allow drivers to report accidents promptly, thereby preventing the incident from being treated as a hit-and-run case as reported by Business Standard.
Jain outlined the innovative approach, stating, “We can use technology innovatively to find out the solution… We have suggested that the driver use a technology system to inform authorities, and then it would not be treated as a hit-and-run case. After that, the driver can subsequently inform the police within a 25-50 km area from the accident site.”
Severe Penalties For Road Accidents
The proposal comes on the heels of a recent strike by truckers protesting against the stringent provisions outlined in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The strike, which lasted three days, concluded after discussions between the protesting truckers and government representatives.
Representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) met with senior home ministry officials amid the ongoing truckers’ protest. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, addressing the concerns raised by truckers, assured that the decision regarding the new penal provisions for hit-and-run cases would only be made after thorough consultation with AIMTC representatives.
The current provisions under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, set to replace the Indian Penal Code, prescribe severe penalties for drivers involved in serious road accidents due to negligent driving. Under the new law, drivers who flee without informing authorities could face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs 7 lakh, a significant increase from the two-year punishment stipulated in the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC).
As the road ministry explores innovative solutions to balance the concerns of truck drivers and the need for stringent regulations, the proposal to incorporate a technology system presents a potential breakthrough. The ongoing dialogue between the government and trucker representatives underscores the importance of collaborative decision-making to address the complexities surrounding hit-and-run cases under the impending Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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