Traffic rule violators will face stringent punishment, including suspension of driving licence, from September 1.

The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety has asked different states and Union Territories (UTs) to take strong actions against the offenders by recommending imprisonment and suspension of their driving licences.

“Detailed analysis of traffic accidents and fatalities has come to the conclusion that unless strong and urgent measures are taken to deal with overspeeding, drunken driving, red-light jumping, violation of helmet laws and seat-belt laws, use of mobile phones while driving, and overloading, the number of accidents and fatalities will continue to remain high,” it said.
In its recommendations to chief secretaries of all the states and UTs, the committee headed by former SC judge Justice K S Radhakrishnan directed suspension of licence for a period of not less than three months for various offences under the motor vehicles law, including rash driving, carrying overload of goods or persons in good carriages and using a mobile phone during drive.

The committee was set up by the apex court on April 22 last year to suggest measures and monitor on behalf of the court, the implementation of various laws related to road safety. The committee directed the authorities to start criminal prosecution and seek imprisonment of a person, found driving under the influence of drinks or drugs, even for the first time.

It also said those who violated helmet laws, meant for drivers and pillion riders of two wheelers, and seat-belt rules in four wheelers and other vehicles would be slapped with a fine, apart from being forced to go through road-safety education and counselling classes for not less than two hours.