The new traffic rules came into effect from today in Jammu and Kashmir. Under the rules, no physical copies of documents like driving licence, registration certificate or insurance are required to be carried along if you show digitally prescribed form.
Regional Transport Officer, Iqramulla Tak told Greater Kashmir that the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, came into force from Thursday and major changes include no physical verification of documents.
According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), changes have been done for better implementation of traffic rules, push digitisation, and prevent harassment of drivers by police officials.
According to the official notification of MoRTH, details of driving licences disqualified or revoked by the licensing authority shall be recorded chronologically in the portal and such record shall be reflected on a regular basis on the portal.
“Thus the record shall be maintained electronically and further the driver behaviour would be monitored,” it said.
Further upon demanding or inspecting any documents, the date and time stamp of inspection and identity of the police officer in uniform or any other officer authorized by the State Government, shall be recorded on the Portal. This would help in unnecessary rechecking or inspection of vehicles and further would remove harassment to the drivers,” it reads.
The records on the portal would be updated every time a driver or the vehicle is inspected.
“One can maintain their vehicular documents on the government’s online portals like Digilocker or m-parivahan. On demand, the commuter can show his driving license and other relevant documents digitally for inspection,” said an official.
The new rules also provide for communications devices like smartphones could be used only for route navigation but in such a way that drivers don’t lose their concentration while driving.
Under fresh rules, authorities can revoke driving license of violator digitally in case of need.
“We are happy to see vehicular documents found validated through electronic means and shall not be demanded in physical form for inspection,” said Aqib Bhat of Baghat Barzulla.
