Traffic Fines in Goa
Traffic Fines in Goa
With serene beaches, exciting parties, and a cultural melting pot, Goa has something in store for every tourist. For these reasons and more, travellers across the globe include Goa on their bucket list. However, this continually increasing influx of tourists has resulted in an increased number of vehicles on roads, subsequently causing increased traffic violations.
In 2022 alone, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reported that Goa witnessed 3,011 accidents with as many as 271 fatalities. These jarring numbers reveal the urgent necessity to instil the importance of Goa traffic rules.
To curb negligence of road safety and encourage riders and drivers to abide by traffic regulations, the Government of India proposed increasing traffic penalties Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. As part of this amendment, penalties for breaking traffic rules were bumped by almost 200% from the former penalties. Let’s explore how this amendment has influenced traffic fines in Goa.
Updated Goa Traffic Rules
It is important to acknowledge that traffic rules are enforced by law authorities to enhance road safety which subsequently benefits commuters. With that in mind, let’s explore the key traffic rules in Goa that individuals must be mindful of.
New Four-Wheeler Traffic Rules in Goa
Drive within the speed limit: The single and most common cause of road accidents in Goa is overspeeding, which shared a staggering 91% share in road mishaps in 2022. So, it is essential to drive well within the speed limit for your safety as well as for the safety of other commuters on the road.
Fasten your seatbelt: Whether you are a driver or a passenger, it is important to always buckle up because a seatbelt can save your life in the unfortunate event of an accident. It can also prevent severe injuries and will help you avoid an expensive penalty.
Don’t use the mobile phone when driving: Among Goa traffic fines, the penalty for using a mobile phone when driving is an important one. This is because driving while using a cell phone increases crash risk as it makes the driver slower at reacting to hazards.
Follow lane discipline: Changing lanes without indicating can lead to severe accidents and is strongly discouraged with a heavy penalty. For road safety, every driver is advised to acquaint themselves with lane-changing discipline to prevent a dangerous accident.
Carry the necessary documents: Traffic police can pull you over to check your documents, so it is essential to always carry your driver’s licence, vehicle registration, insurance policy, etc., to avoid being fined
In addition to the aforementioned, drivers will also be penalised for illegally parking with a no parking fine in Goa. There is also a hefty drink-and-drive fine in Goa to discourage driving in an inebriated state and causing severe accidents.
New Two-Wheeler Traffic Rules in Goa
Wear a helmet: The helmet is an essential safety accessory because it reduces the chances of severe head injuries. So, the rider, as well as the pillion, must wear a helmet. Neglecting this rule will result in riding without a helmet fine in Goa.
Only one pillion: Riding with more than one pillion not only lowers the performance of the bike but also increases the risk of road accidents because it makes it challenging to navigate, particularly on crowded roads.
Don’t over-speed: Riding aggressively and over the speed limit increases the risk of accidents. Over-speeding not only threatens the life of the rider but also other commuters and pedestrians on the road.
Don’t use the mobile phone when riding: If you are texting, calling, or using maps on your phone, you are not attentive on the road and can be involved in an accident. This can be more dangerous for two-wheeler riders as they are more vulnerable when compared to cars. So, to discourage the use of mobile phones when riding, this violation is included in the Goa traffic police fine list.
Carry the necessary documents: As with four-wheeler drivers, even bike riders must carry essential documents such as their driver’s licence, valid insurance policy for bikes, PUC certificate, etc., to avoid being fined.
Updated Goa Traffic Fines
Traffic fines in Goa are a way of discouraging negligence in adhering to traffic rules and increasing awareness about regulations and the importance of road safety. To that end, here is the updated Goa traffic police fine list:
Traffic Violation | Penalty |
---|---|
Riding without a helmet fine in Goa | ₹500 |
Driving with fastening the seat belt | ₹500 |
Driving on the wrong side of the road | ₹1,500 for three-wheelers
₹3,000 for light motor vehicles ₹5,000 for heavy vehicles. These penalties are for first-time offenders. |
Driving an unregistered vehicle | ₹1,000 for Two-wheelers
₹2,000 for Three-wheelers ₹3,000 for Four-wheelers ₹5,000 for Larger Vehicles Like Trucks, Buses, etc. |
Not possessing a valid driving licence | ₹2,000 for Two-wheelers
₹3,000 for Three or Four-wheelers |
Not making way for emergency vehicles such as ambulances or fire engine | ₹1,000 |
Breach of stipulated pollution standards | ₹1,000 for Light Weight Two-wheelers
₹3,000 for Other Vehicles |
Driving over the speed limit | ₹1,500 for Two-wheelers
₹2,000 for LMVs ₹4,000 for HMVs |
Riding/driving under the influence of intoxicating substances | ₹10,000 and/or six months imprisonment
₹15,000 and/or two years imprisonment for a repeated offence |
Riding/driving without a valid insurance policy | ₹2,000 and/or three months imprisonment, community service
₹4,000 for repeated offence |
Juvenile offences | ₹25,000 with three-year imprisonment, cancellation of registration for one year
Juvenile Ineligible for Licence Until 25 years of age. |
Breaking the traffic signal | ₹5,000 |
The severity of the fines, such as juvenile offences or drink-and-drive fines in Goa, indicates the seriousness of these violations. These fines are intended to impress the importance of abiding by traffic rules thereby improving road safety.
Imposing E-Challan in Goa
With as many as 200 fatalities owing to road accidents in Goa in 2023, there is an indication of driving urgent focus on road safety in the state. In consideration of the grim statistics that underscore the importance of responsible and safe driving, the state government takes traffic violations seriously.
When you receive an e-challan in Goa, you must make note of the ticket’s validity. This is because if the e-challan is not cleared within 60 days of the ticket being issued, the offender will incur additional charges and penalties.
For example, if you receive a no-parking fine in Goa, you will be fined ₹800, and if you don’t clear the e-challan within 60 days, you will incur additional penalties. To avoid these, it is important to ensure that all fines are cleared before their validity expires.
In severe cases of negligence, an individual may also have to appear in court for non-payment of their e-challan in due time.
Once you clear the fine, you can even check the status of your e-challan online to ensure successful payment via the e-challan Parivahan website.
How to Pay E-Challan in Goa?
Your e-challan can be cleared via online as well as offline methods.
Online Method for Paying E-Challan in Goa
There are two easy ways to clear your e-challan online: the Parivahan website or the Goa e-challan payment website. Let’s see how to clear your e-challan from the Parivahan website and the processes for both online methods are similar.
Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan website and check the status of your e-challan
Step 2: Enter information in the relative fields, such as the challan number, captcha code, etc.
Step 3: Click on the “Get Information” button to check the specifics of your e-challan
Step 4: Once you verify the violation, click on the “Pay Now” tab and choose your preferred payment method
Step 5: Upon successful completion of the payment, you will receive a transaction ID on your registered mobile number
Offline Method for Paying E-Challan in Goa
There are the ways of clearing your e-challan offline in Goa:
Visit the Goa Traffic Police headquarters with your driver's licence, proof of residence, ID proof, and a copy of the e-challan to pay the fine in cash
Look for a Goa traffic police using an electronic challan machine and share your vehicle number, challan, and driver's licence and wire the funds
You can also pay the Goa Traffic Police Department via demand draft or check
Importance of Having Valid Motor Insurance for Adhering to Traffic Rules in Goa
To drive or ride legally in Goa, it is essential to have a valid insurance policy. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, every rider and driver must possess at least third-party insurance from an IRDAI-approved insurance provider to avoid a heavy penalty.
Acknowledging this, Tata AIG has made it easy to buy 2-wheeler insurance online. However, while you can avoid penalties with third-party bike insurance, it is always advised to invest in comprehensive insurance for bikes for wholesome protection. This is because third-party bike insurance will only cover third-party liabilities and not compensate for damages to one’s own vehicle.
So, to pay for these, comprehensive insurance becomes an important investment. However, you can combine the benefits of both these policies with comprehensive insurance for bikes that compensates for third-party liabilities and also covers your own damage.
Also Read: First-party bike insurance
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.