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Lorry drivers from across Karnataka will conduct a strike on 17th January. The indefinite strike is against the new hit-and-run law put into action by the Central Government. Apart from opposing the law, they also have several requests as part of the strike. This announcement was made by the Lorry Owner’s Association.
The new law was pertaining to those who flee the spot after an accident. If it is found that overspeeding and negligent driving led to the death of an individual and that the driver failed to bring this to the notice of the police authorities, a 10-year jail sentence was stipulated as per law. A fine of Rs 7 lakh will also be imposed in such incidents.
Prior to this, the punishment for this was lighter. A case would be booked under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligent driving would be made on the individual. This would lead to 2 years of imprisonment or an equivalent fine.
The Lorry Owner Association’s claim is that in many cases a fair investigation isn’t conducted and it is unfairly ascertained that the fault is with the lorry driver. The Truck drivers are anxious over the heavy fine which has been imposed.
Lorries are seized during accidents. Later, drivers are harassed when they attempt to procure the lorry from the police officials, the association alleges. This becomes a means to impose heavy fines, the association claims. There is a shortage of 27% among lorry drivers and such moves may discourage people from opting for this profession.
Their other demands include a removal of checkposts in border regions, reduction of projection fines, permission for renewal of blacklisted commercial vehicles, prohibition of police from seizing driving licence during accidents and arrangements for release of drivers from other states during accidents without the need for bail.
An immediate retraction of the bill is a demand from lorry drivers.
