Popularly known as the Land of Five Rivers, Punjab is a north-western state of India comprising more than 27 million inhabitants. The high population rate along with high vehicle density is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Punjab. As per the news, the state reported more than 3000 road accident cases due to overspeeding in 2021.

Therefore, in order to ensure road safety, the state government imposed an overspeeding challan in Punjab upon speed-limit violations.

The Punjab Government decided to impose hefty fines upon offenders violating the overspeeding rules and regulations of the Motor Vehicles Act. The reason behind taking this decision is to maintain a smooth flow of traffic in Punjab and to ensure the safety of all citizens against road accidents. The main reasons for getting an overspeeding challan in Punjab are as follows:

• Overspeeding While Using Mobile Phones

Using mobile phones while driving causes distractions and subsequent crashes as it limits the reaction time of the driver. Using mobile phones and overspeeding is a punishable offence. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, if someone is caught while speaking on the phone while driving, then that person will be charged with a heavy penalty.

• Overspeeding While Drunk

Most of the overspeeding cases occur due to alcohol consumption while driving. If caught overspeeding in a drunken state, the driver or rider can attract an overspeed challan in Punjab.

• Overspeeding During Emergency/Urgency

According to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, traffic authorities can charge an individual with a challan for driving/riding a vehicle at a speed above a reasonable limit during any emergency or urgency.

• Overspeeding and Not Following Traffic Signals

The traffic police department can levy a fine for overspeeding in Punjab if they detect any fast-moving vehicle racing on a public road. 

Section 112 of the Motor Vehicle Act states that every individual shall maintain their vehicle's speed which should not exceed the reasonable limit keeping in mind the traffic on the road and safe use of vehicles on highways and roads. If caught overspeeding, the owner may attract a considerable fine which is ₹1000 for 2-wheelers and ₹2000 for 4-wheelers.

Given below are some fines that the traffic authorities charge from drivers/riders for overspeeding in Punjab. 

• For Light Motor Vehicles or LMV: Fine for driving LMV over the speed limit is ₹1000 for the first offence. For further violations, the traffic authorities can charge a fine of ₹2000 for overspeeding.
• For Heavy or Mechanic Motor Vehicles: Drivers of HMV/MMV vehicles will be liable to pay a fine of ₹2000 for speeding the first time and ₹4000 if they further violate the rule subsequent times.
• For Racing and Trials of Speed: Overspeeding Fine in Punjab for racing is ₹5000 on the first violation and ₹10000 on the second or subsequent violations.

The Punjab government has set up new maximum speed limits for all drivers/riders to follow on various roads in the state. All citizens need to make sure to drive/ride according to the set limit as of 2020. Given below is the speed limit for different types of vehicles one has to maintain on different roads as per the rules and regulations of Punjab.

You can pay your overspeeding fine through online or offline mode:

• Online Mode

One can pay their overspeeding challan in Punjab issued by the traffic police by visiting the official website of Parivahan Sewa. The official web portal of the Punjab Government also provides the facility of online payments of e-challan.

• Offline Mode

Besides, one can also choose to pay their overspeeding challan by physically visiting the nearby traffic police station in Punjab along with the challan receipt and other details.

Failing to pay an overspeeding fine within 15 days of issuance will lead to an addition of a late fee to the amount specified in the challan. Even so, an offender will have the benefit to pay the challan along with the late fee within 60 days.

Upon subsequent failure to pay overspeed challan in Punjab, a traffic police officer will visit the offender’s registered address to collect it. In some cases, the consequence for not paying the fine might further lead to legal action and cancellation of driving licence as well.