What is Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act?
Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act deals with dangerous driving. In 2019, road accidentsRead more
What is Considered Dangerous Driving Under Section 184?
Under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, engaging in the following actions may be treated as dangerous driving:
- Jumping red lights
- Violating mandatory road signs
- Operating mobile phones or other gadgets while driving
- Driving at excessive speed
- Dangerous overtaking
- Driving against the flow of traffic
- Rash or negligent driving
- Racing or performing stunts on public roads
- Aggressive lane changing
- Driving in any manner that falls far below what is expected of a competent & careful driver
Whether Section 184 applies depends on the facts of each case and the level of danger caused by the driver's actions.
Penalties Under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act
To improve road safety and reduce reckless driving, the penalties under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act have become stricter following the landmark amendments by the Indian government in 2019:
| Stage of Offence |
Punishment |
| First offence |
Fines from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 and/or 6 months to 1 year of imprisonment |
| Subsequent offence |
Fine of up to Rs. 10,000 and/or up to 2 years of imprisonment |
Important Documents to Carry When Driving
Make sure you carry the following documents to show to traffic police or other authorities during routine checks:
- Vehicle registration certificate
- A valid driving licence
- Car insurance papers
- Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC)
Note: Nowadays, you can store these documents on the DigiLocker or the mParivahan app for anytime access. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), documents stored digitally in these apps are legally accepted.
Requirement of Motor Insurance
As per Indian motor laws, every vehicle used on public roads in India must be covered by at least a valid third-party insurance. It provides coverage for injury or death to a third party and/or damage to their property from an accident involving your vehicle.
However, comprehensive car insurance offers better financial protection to vehicle owners. While not mandatory, it covers both third-party liabilities as well as damages to your own vehicle arising from accidents, theft, fire, natural disasters, and other events, subject to the insurer's terms & conditions.
Does Section 184 Affect Your Car Insurance?
Getting a challan under Section 184 does not mean that your car insurance becomes invalid. But if an accident happens due to dangerous or reckless driving, the insurance company may investigate the incident before deciding the claim. The final decision depends on your policy terms and the circumstances of the accident.
Moreover, insurers may also consider repeated traffic violations when evaluating risks at the time of policy issuance or renewal. Hence, by driving safely and following traffic rules, you can reduce the risk of accidents, avoid legal trouble, and make the claim process smoother.
