The draft of the new road transport law was presented in the cabinet on Monday, August 6, 2018, and the law was approved in the cabinet meeting. The law is expected to be passed in the next parliamentary session. It is hoped that with the enactment of this law, accidents on highways will be reduced.
Reckless driving kills people
The draft law stipulates that a person who kills a person by reckless driving can be sentenced to five years imprisonment or a maximum fine of Tk 5 lakh or both under Section 302. The crime is currently punishable by up to three years in prison. However, if the investigation finds that the driver was killed intentionally, then the maximum punishment will be death.
Educational qualifications for obtaining a driving license
The law stipulates that a driver must pass Class VIII in order to obtain a driving license. Besides, the law has also made it mandatory for bus conductors or assistants to pass the fifth class and get a license.
Age of driving
The minimum age for driving a private car is 18 years. However, in the case of long-distance heavy vehicles and professional driving, the age limit has been drafted for 21 years.
The penalty for unlicensed driving is double
The new draft law stipulates six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 50,000 for driving without a driving license. In addition to this, if the driver’s assistant does not have a license, there is a provision of one-month imprisonment and a fine of Tk 25,000.
Punishment for driving on the sidewalk
The new Roads and Transport Act also includes a law on driving on sidewalks. Driving on the sidewalk is punishable by three months imprisonment or a fine of Tk 35,000.
Talking on mobile while driving
To avoid road accidents, it has been proposed to abolish talking on mobile phones while driving and to bring it under the law and to make provision for punishment in the new Roads and Transport Act. The new law stipulates that if a driver speaks on a mobile phone while driving, he will be sentenced to a maximum of one month in jail or a fine of Tk 5,000 or both.
The owner of the car is also coming under the law
Even if a car without fitness is taken out on the road, there is a provision of punishment under the new road and transport law. The draft law proposes maximum imprisonment of one year and a fine of Rs one lakh for driving without fitness. The car owner will suffer this punishment.
Punishment for using a fake driving license
If a driver drives a car using a fake driving license, he will be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment or a fine of Tk 300,000 under the new road transport law.
If you don’t follow the rules, the driver’s point will be cut
The new road transport law has a provision to deduct points for motorists. According to this method, if a driver has committed a crime, his points can be deducted. There will be a total of 12 points at the beginning. If his points become zero while deducting points, his license will be declared void. And he will never be licensed again.
The proposed draft road transport law also states that bus driver’s assistants cannot perform duties in a vehicle without a license. If a vehicle changes ownership, it must be notified to the authorities within 30 days. The new Road Transport Act has imposed restrictions on driving any vehicle on the road without registration.
