According to this decision, Regional Transport Officers (RTO) and District Transport Officers (DTO) have been given full authority to suspend or cancel licenses. These rules will be implemented from January 1, and if five traffic offenses are recorded in a year, the driver's license will be at risk. Importantly, this includes not only serious offenses causing accidents but also 'everyday' mistakes such as not wearing a helmet, not fastening a seat belt, breaking signals, exceeding speed limits, talking on a mobile while driving, and overloading.
The new regulations emphasize transparency. Before canceling or suspending a license, the concerned driver will be given an opportunity to present their side. This process will be conducted according to the principles of natural justice. However, once the limit of five offenses is exceeded, the journey ahead for the driver is sure to be challenging. The reassuring aspect is that this count will be reset every year, and offenses from the previous year will not be carried over to the next.
There are mixed reactions among experts on this decision. According to some, this decision is extremely necessary to rein in reckless drivers on the roads. However, some experts question whether it is appropriate to take action only against drivers without addressing the poor condition of roads, inadequate traffic signs, and planning flaws. Nevertheless, this is a clear warning for ordinary drivers—follow the rules, stay alert. Otherwise, if you keep breaking the rules saying “What the heck…”, your vehicle will remain on the road, but your Driving License will be locked away in the RTO's cupboard.