India Decriminalises Minor Traffic Violations in Motor Vehicles A...

Parliament has passed the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2025, decriminalising 34 minor traffic violations that previously carried imprisonment clauses, replacing custodial penalties with tiered monetary fines collected digitally via the VAHAN platform. The reform is intended to reduce the discretionary power of traffic police and curb corruption at enforcement checkpoints. Serious violations including drunk driving, racing, and overloading will continue to attract criminal liability. The Act also mandates that all commercial vehicles above 7.5 tonnes must be fitted with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems by 2027. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the reform aligns India traffic law with international best practices and will be supported by 150,000 new AI-powered CCTV intersections to be installed across National Highways by 2026.