Frequent Travel with Private Vehicles to be Criminalized: New Bill in Parliament

The Motor Vehicles Passenger and Goods Transport (Control) (Amendment) Bill aims to criminalize frequent travel with private vehicles on certain routes. Those traveling the same route more than three times a week could face up to six months in prison or a fine.

The bill's amendments intended to prevent illegal transportation have been interpreted as severe restrictions on travel freedom. The bill's provisions, which track vehicles' routes through radar and encourage informants under the guise of preventing illegal transportation, pose significant risks to travel freedom.

According to the bill, private vehicles without passenger transport permits are prohibited from making more than two round trips in the same direction in one day or more than three round trips in the same direction within seven days in areas with air, land, or sea checkpoints.

Given that every road in the country coincides with the routes of air, land, and sea checkpoints, anyone reported to the police for illegal transportation will be considered a suspect. According to the bill, those making round trips on these routes more than three times a week will be considered criminals.

Six Months Imprisonment

The bill clearly states that anyone traveling the same route with a passenger twice a day or three times a week will be considered a criminal and could face fines up to two months' minimum wage, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

Motor Vehicles Passenger and Goods Transport (Control) (Amendment) Bill:

The bill includes provisions to detect illegal transportation and impose deterrent penalties on those engaged in illegal transportation.

1. The first article of the bill regulates the "Short Name."

2. The second article adds and revises the definition of the "Electronic Control System" in the "Interpretation" article of the law.

3. The third article introduces a new (C) clause to the first paragraph of article 12 of the law.

4. The fourth article adds a new (11) paragraph to article 18 of the law.

5. The fifth article revises clause (C) of the first and seventh paragraphs of article 24 of the law.

6. The sixth article regulates the "Entry into Force."