The Government of India, to reduce the number of traffic violations in the country, amended the  Motor Vehicles Act 1988 in 2019. Under this newly amended Act, traffic fines and penalties were revised and increased by almost 200% of their original amount, which implied a huge dent in vehicle owners’ monthly spending due to driving errors.

However, many states were reluctant to follow suit, even though these sanctions were meant to be applied nationwide on September 1st, 2019, Goa accepted the amendment and made a few changes to the traffic fines.

The original Motor Vehicles Act 1988 was amended heavily to implement traffic changes in Goa. The Goa state government revised the Motor Vehicles Act, and the new version went into effect on April 1, 2021. The state cabinet made the modifications in July 2021 and scheduled the revised law's implementation for April 22, 2021.

Goa's Transport Minister, Mr Mauvin Godinho, declared in November 2019 that the state would impose the higher penalty outlined in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act. In this regard, he further conveyed that Goa will adopt the Gujarat model and lower some fines from the amounts recommended by this modified Act. Everything else stays the same.

It should be noted that in certain places in Goa, the fines for moving violations have decreased. For example, the penalty for overloading a two-wheeler used to be ₹1,000, but it is currently only ₹100. 

Similar to this, the amended law now only penalises ₹1,000 for impeding ambulances, down from a larger ₹10,000 fine. However, due to this, the entire procedure is now far harsher than it was previously.  

In just the first quarter of 2024, approximately ₹7,36,55,18,150 in revenue was collected from challans in India.

Efforts to enhance traffic fine collection in Goa include the introduction of e-challan systems for digital fine issuance, making payments more convenient. Additionally, awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement are being implemented to improve road safety and reduce traffic violations in the region.

Here are some easy ways to check and pay your traffic violation ticket in Goa. 

Process to Check e-Challan Online in Goa

• You can check the status of your e-Challan through the Parivahan website.

• You can also check the status on the official website of the Government of Goa. 

Process to Pay e-Challan Online in Goa

• One of the ways to pay your traffic fines online is via the Parivahan website.

• Else, you can pay your e-Challan through the official website of the Government of Goa.

You also have the option to pay in cash using an e-challan machine carried by traffic police officers or to submit your fine at a nearby traffic police station.

• Wear Seatbelt: As soon as the car is on the road, all passengers must wear seatbelts to avoid serious injuries and fines.

• Follow Speed Limit: Adhere to the speed restrictions indicated by the appropriate traffic signs on roads to avoid collisions and hefty fines.

• Don’t Drink And Drive: It is strictly prohibited to drive while intoxicated by alcohol or any other drug. Be safe, and don’t drink and drive.

• Avoid Using Mobile Phone: Don’t use a mobile phone while driving as it can distract you from the road and lead to accidents. 

• Get Insurance: Make sure you get car insurance before you take your vehicle on the road to avoid heavy fines and penalties.

Below is the list of rules to keep in mind when driving a two-wheeler in Goa:

• Wear Helmet: In Goa, it is mandatory for all two-wheeler riders and pillion riders, regardless of state, to wear helmets while riding.

• Age Limit: In addition to other requirements, no 16-year-old or below is legal to ride a two-wheeler on Goan roadways.

• Avoid Overloading: On a two-wheeler, there can be a maximum of two riders—one rider and one pillion rider. Three riders are not permitted.

• Overspeeding: To benefit from security and accountability, motorcycle riders must adhere entirely to the speed limit regulations.

• No Mobile Usage: Using a mobile phone while riding can cause distraction and accidents, so it is prohibited.

• Don’t Drink And Ride: Driving when intoxicated interferes with the brain's normal functioning and can put you in risky situations and hefty fines.

• Keep Necessary Documents: Carry essential documents, such as driver’s licence, PUC certificate, etc., to avoid fines and penalties.

• Get Insurance: Remember, it is mandatory to have bike insurance before you hit the road.

Being a tourist state, vehicles in Goa keep increasing every year, and everyone’s duty, including the tourists, is to adhere to the traffic regulations and ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

Cooperate with the government and the traffic rules and be safe on the road!