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India Proposes Points-Based Licences With Suspensions to Curb Road Deaths

Officials frame the plan as an enforcement push to cut deaths driven largely by speeding.

Overview

  • Under the proposed graded system, traffic offences would accrue penalty points, with a 12‑point total leading to a six‑month driving suspension.
  • Repeat or serious violations, including drunken driving, could result in permanent licence cancellation, minister Nitin Gadkari said at a CII road‑safety event.
  • The Centre has identified 100 high‑risk districts for targeted action and plans to publicly name jurisdictions where crash rates continue to rise.
  • Criminal penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita remain applicable for fatal negligent driving, carrying up to five years in prison, or up to ten years for hit‑and‑run.
  • India records nearly five lakh crashes and about 1.8 lakh deaths annually, with roughly 72% of fatalities among 18–45‑year‑olds and about 1.2 lakh deaths linked to speeding; the PM RAHAT scheme provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days.