Transport entrepreneurs have protested against the government decision to hike fines for traffic rule violations and threatened to defy the new rules.

The National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs has accused the government of unilaterally amending Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act-1993 to increase penalty without any scientific basis. General Secretary of the federation Saroj Sitaula said authorities were only focusing on punishment instead of considering the lack of road infrastructure in the country.

“The country even lacks proper parking spaces for vehicles,” Sitaula said. “Increasing fines will not solve the problem of traffic mismanagement. So there is no point in accepting the decision.” The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division implemented the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act last week, seven months after the government had made amendment to it. Fines have been increased anywhere between two to seven times compared to before.

Fines for disregarding traffic signs, haphazard parking, blowing horns in restricted areas, over speeding, driving on the wrong side and driving vehicles in bad condition have been increased, ranging from Rs25 to Rs100. Likewise, fines for driving under influence, driving without lights during night time, blocking the road, driving in restricted areas, driving without using seatbelt or helmets and driving a vehicle without number plate or necessary papers have been increased between Rs100 to Rs1,500.

For public vehicles, fines for refusing to carry passengers, over charging travel fares and deviating from approved routes have been fixed between Rs500 and Rs1,500. The federation has warned of protest programmes if the government does not roll back its decision.