The Cabinet on Monday approved the final draft of the Road Transport Act 2018 with the provision of highest imprisonment of five years in a road accident, proven to be intentional.
The act will also take the offence of murder and severe injuries in road accident as non-bailable which is, however, bailable in the existing motor vehicles ordinance.
Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, who briefed the journalists after a cabinet meeting that approved the draft act, said there is also a provision with the maximum fine at Tk 500,000 in the act.
"The provision of punishment in all sections has been increased in the Road Transport Act" he said.
The cabinet secretary said any offence of murder or injuries will be tried through the penal code under 302 and 304 sections, but in the case of criminal offences, the provision of the highest punishment mentioned in the RTA 2018 will be applicable even whatever 304 (b) states.
The section 304b has the provision of imprisonment of highest 3 years and the offense is bailable.
Roads and Highways Division secretary Nazrul Islam also briefed the journalists about the approval of the draft RTA.
The cabinet also approved the draft agriculture marketing (marketing) act.
