Whoever, drives a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public 1[or which causes a sense of alarm or distress to the occupants of the vehicle,other road users, and persons near roads,] having regard to all the circumstances of case including the nature, condition and use of the place where the vehicle is driven and the amount of traffic which actually is at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be in the place, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term 2[which may extend to one year but shall not be less than six months or with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both], and for any second or subsequent offence if committed within three years of the commission of a previous similar offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine 3[of ten thousand rupees], or with both.
4[Explanation.-- For the purpose of this section,--
(a) jumping a red light;
(b) violating a stop sign;
(c) use of handheld communications devices while driving;
(d) passing or overtaking other vehicles in a manner contrary to law;
(e) driving against the authorised flow of traffic; or
(f) driving in any manner that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and where it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that manner would be dangerous, shall amount to driving in such manner which is dangerous to the public.]
4[Explanation.-- For the purpose of this section,--
(a) jumping a red light;
(b) violating a stop sign;
(c) use of handheld communications devices while driving;
(d) passing or overtaking other vehicles in a manner contrary to law;
(e) driving against the authorised flow of traffic; or
(f) driving in any manner that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and where it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that manner would be dangerous, shall amount to driving in such manner which is dangerous to the public.]
Source footnotes
1. Ins. by s. 67, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).2. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 67, for “which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 67, ibid., for “which may extend to two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Ins. by s. 67, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
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More sections of this act
Section 1 · Short title, extent and commencement.Section 2 · Definitions.Section 2A · e-cart and e-rickshaw.Section 2B · Promotion of innovationSection 3 · Necessity for driving licence.Section 4 · Age limit in connection with driving of motor vehicles.Section 5 · Responsibility of owners of motor vehicles for contravention of sections 3 and 4.Section 6 · Restrictions on the holding of driving licences.India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 10 Oct 2026. Source metadata reports last modification: 2025-11-07. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.