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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)NEW_2019Chapter IX
Section 177A
Penalty for Violation of Road Regulations
Offences, Penalties and Procedure
Fine: ₹500Compoundable: YesEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION
Legal Text
Whoever contravenes any regulation made under section 138 shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
Simplified Explanation
Section 177A was added by the 2019 Amendment to specifically penalise violations of road regulations made under Section 138 — the State Government's rule-making power for traffic control covering horn use, lighting requirements, seat belts, noise levels, etc. While Section 177 is a general catch-all, Section 177A specifically targets the detailed operational regulations. Practically, this covers violations such as using horns in no-horn zones near hospitals, using high-beam headlights in urban areas, and violating state-specific traffic management notifications.
Historical Context
The addition of Section 177A reflects the 2019 Amendment's comprehensive approach to penalising the full range of traffic violations, including those arising from state-level regulations.Critical Changes
New section added by MVA Amendment 2019.
Specifically targets Section 138 road regulation violations.
Practical Scenarios
"Using a pressure horn in a hospital zone — Section 177A violation, ₹500."
"Using high-beam headlights on a city road in violation of state regulations — Section 177A."
Common Queries
Section 177A (inserted by the 2019 Amendment) prescribes a penalty of ₹500 for the first offence and ₹1,500 for subsequent offences for violating road regulations framed under Section 138, such as traffic signal rules, lane discipline, and pedestrian regulations.
No. Section 177A violations are minor traffic infractions that are compoundable and non-cognizable. They are typically enforced through on-the-spot challans by traffic police and do not require arrest or court proceedings.
Yes. The 2019 MVA Amendment empowers authorities to use electronic enforcement technology. Notices for violations detected by cameras can be sent to the registered owner's address, and the challan can be paid online through government portals.