Maharashtra is ranked second in the country for having the highest number of road accidents as of 2024. Over the years, there has been an increase in fatal accidents in different cities across India. As a result, the Indian government made amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act in 2019 to reduce the number of road casualties.

In November 2019, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway released data indicating that road fatalities in Maharashtra had led to approximately 13,261 deaths in 2018. This represented an 8.1% increase in accidental deaths compared to the previous year. Recent statistics indicate that, as of 2020, over 12,000 individuals in Maharashtra have died as a result of road accidents. Traffic discrepancies have been identified as the primary cause of these fatalities.

According to traffic officials, this rapid increase in fatalities due to road accidents could be attributed, to quite an extent, to over-speeding. To curb this increasing number of accidents, not just in Maharashtra but on a pan-India basis, the Government of India brought several amendments to the existing Motor Vehicles Act 1988.

The state government of Maharashtra implemented the new traffic fines following the Motor Vehicles Act of 2019. After deliberations, the new changes were implemented in December 2019 across different parts of Maharashtra. 

Maharashtra, along with other states such as Gujarat, Kerala, and Karnataka, had initially rejected the newly introduced traffic fines, citing concerns about feasibility. These states had put the implementation of the revised fines on hold, citing the interests of vehicle owners and drivers. 

However, after putting the implementation on hold, Maharashtra eventually revised its traffic fines to align with the new rates stipulated by the amended Act.

The new traffic fines contributed to reducing some traffic fines in Maharashtra. For instance, the penalty for driving a car without a valid driving licence has been dropped to ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 instead of ₹5,000 for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Similarly, the penalty for blocking emergency vehicles has also been reduced to ₹1,000 from ₹10,000 in the past.

However, there have also been some hikes with the new traffic fines in Maharashtra. For instance, the compounding penalty for breaking the speed limit has increased to ₹4,000. Moreover, the penalty for minors driving a vehicle has increased to ₹5,000 from only ₹500.

In 2023, approximately ₹32,04,44,50,545 revenue was collected from challans 1,95,69,861 in India.

In Maharashtra, traffic fines are collected by the state police through various methods. These include on-the-spot fines payable to police officers or at designated locations, online payments, and submission of fines at traffic police stations with the necessary documents.

You can check your traffic challan in Maharashtra and pay online in some easy ways mentioned below.

Process to Check e-Challan Online in Maharashtra

• You can do so through the Parivahan website under the “Check Online Services” tab if you prefer the online process.

• Next, you can check the status through the Maharashtra State E-Challan payment portal.

• You can also check the Maharashtra Government’s official website to know more about your e-Challan status.

Process to Pay e-Challan Online in Maharashtra

• You can easily pay your traffic fines online in Maharashtra via the Parivahan website.

• Also, you can pay your e-Challan through the Maharashtra Government’s official website. 

• You can also pay it through the Maharashtra State E-Challan payment portal.

You can also settle your fine by paying in cash to a traffic police officer equipped with an e-challan machine. Likewise, you have the option to visit any traffic police station in your city, carrying the necessary documents, to submit your fine.

Here are some essential traffic rules one must consider while driving a four-wheeler in Maharashtra:    

• Maintain Speed Limit: The speed limit for cars in Maharashtra is 100 km/h on highways and 60 km/h in urban areas.

• Stick To The Left Side: Keeping to the left not only ensures safety but also helps maintain a smooth traffic flow.

• Don’t Drive When Intoxicated: Refrain from drinking and driving as it can lead to hefty penalties & fines and a risky thing. 

• Use Indicators: Signal well before your intended turn or lane change to prevent accidents and ensure safe driving.

• Buckle Up: Wearing a seatbelt is necessary for all drivers and passengers travelling in four-wheelers.

• Carry Valid Documents: When driving a four-wheeler, make sure your driving licence, vehicle registration, insurance, permit, and PUCC are with you.

• Get Car Insurance: Ensure you carry your car insurance while driving a four-wheeler in Maharashtra.

Here are some important traffic rules one must consider while driving a two-wheeler in Maharashtra:

• Use Helmet: The rider and pillion passengers must wear helmets as they provide essential protection during accidents.

• Avoid Tripling: Avoid triple riding as it can cause instability and reduced control, endangering everyone's life. 

• Rule Out Drinking and Driving: Driving a two-wheeler while you are drunk is a severe offence in Maharashtra that can result in the suspension of your licence. 

• Refrain From Using Mobile Phones: Using a mobile phone while riding is unsafe and illegal. This can cause distractions and result in accidents.

• Obey Traffic Signal: It is crucial to follow traffic signals, which include red, green, and yellow lights. Not obeying traffic signals can lead to heavy fines.

• Follow Overtake Rules: Overtaking other cars in curves, intersections, and passing pedestrians is never permitted.

• Carry Bike Insurance: Make sure you keep your bike insurance as you drive around Maharashtra on a two-wheeler.

Thus, not obeying the traffic rules can result in traffic fines. Therefore, it is crucial to practise responsible driving or riding to avoid road accidents and ensure one's own and everyone else's safety.