'Overspeeding vehicles a missile, bring law to rein them in'

Stating that over-speeding vehicles act like "a missile" in a road accident, a parliamentary panel today asked the government to frame necessary legislation to limit their acceleration capacity as per India's infrastructure.
"The government should formulate the necessary legislation to limit the acceleration capability of vehicles manufactured for use in India... As per the infrastructure availability of the country," parliamentary committee on transport, tourism and culture said in its report tabled today.
The 31-member panel, chaired by Mukul Roy, has compared over-speeding vehicles as "missile or rocket if involved in an accident" and said vehicles over-speed causing accidents despite the speed limit on Indian roads at up to 80 km in most National Highways with maximum speed permitted at 120 kms.

"Most of the vehicles manufactured in India are with a capability of driving more than than 180 km per hour. In some cases, the vehicles are manufactured for more than 240 km per hour capability," it said.
The committee felt that the manufacturers are following European and American standards which along with technologies are being implemented in India.
Also, it noted that slow-moving vehicles are a hazard on NHs and recommended prescribing a minimum speed limit according to place and traffic flow.
The government in August last year had approved the much- awaited Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016 that proposes hefty penalties for violation of traffic norms, including up to Rs 10,000 fine for drunken driving and Rs 2 lakh compensation for hit-and-run cases.

Based on the recommendations of transport ministers from 18 states, the bill includes penalties in the range of Rs 1,000-4,000 for over-speeding.