In a significant policy shift aimed at curbing road accidents, the Gurgaon Police have announced a stringent crackdown on wrong-side driving. The force has decided to start filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against motorists caught driving against the traffic flow, particularly on highways and major arterial roads.
From Challans to Criminal Cases: A New Enforcement Strategy
Police officials revealed that while criminal cases for such violations were registered only in rare circumstances earlier, the alarming rise in accidents caused by wrong-side driving has necessitated a tougher response. FIRs will now be lodged in a "rigid and consistent manner" under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections pertain to rash driving, causing death by negligence, and other applicable provisions based on the situation.
The decision stems from data showing the ineffectiveness of fines alone. In 2025, a staggering 2 lakh vehicles were challaned for wrong-side driving in Gurgaon. Authorities admitted that habitual offenders were not deterred by mere penalties. "Despite regular enforcement drives, barricading, and awareness campaigns, the high number of violations suggests the problem is widespread. This prompted the stricter strategy of getting FIRs registered," a police official stated.
Focus on Repeat Offenders and High-Speed Corridors
According to police sources, FIRs will primarily target repeat offenders. However, the policy has a zero-tolerance clause for high-risk zones. "If anyone is found driving on the wrong side on highways, expressways, or key arterial roads, an FIR can be registered against a first-time offender too," the official clarified.
The scale of traffic indiscipline in Gurgaon is further highlighted by the 2025 violation data:
- Speeding: 1.1 lakh cases
- Wrong-side parking: 1.9 lakh fines
- Sudden lane changing: 79,615 challans
- Riding without helmet: 3.9 lakh challans
- Triple riding/pillion violations: 4.5 lakh cases
- Mobile phone use while driving: 5,812 drivers fined
Police emphasized these are not isolated incidents but daily violations that create conflict points on fast-moving roads, heightening accident risks for all.
Sharp Rise in Violations Compared to 2024
A year-on-year comparison with 2024 figures reveals a worrying trend across major categories:
Wrong-side driving fines jumped from 1.8 lakh (2024) to 2 lakh (2025). Speeding violations saw a massive increase from 18,444 to 1.1 lakh. Cases of riding without a helmet nearly doubled from 2.3 lakh to 3.9 lakh. This sharp spike, especially in wrong-side driving and helmetless riding, convinced authorities that stronger legal deterrents were essential.
"The objective is to send a clear message that traffic violations threatening public safety will no longer be tolerated. Violators on high-speed corridors will face criminal action," the official asserted. The enforcement will be closely monitored, with a special focus on repeat offenders and situations where lives are put at clear risk.
When asked about specific legal sections, officials indicated that FIRs would typically involve BNS Section 281 (rash or negligent driving endangering life) and other relevant clauses like Section 121, depending on the circumstances.
Alongside stricter enforcement, police continue to conduct traffic awareness programs across the city. These include workshops and interactions with truck and bus drivers, school transport operators, and auto-rickshaw drivers to emphasize the dangers of wrong-side driving and the importance of lane discipline.
In a related development, DCP (Traffic) Rajesh Mohan inspected key traffic points, including the Manesar-Bilaspur-Rathiwas stretch, on Friday. He directed officials to ensure immediate pothole repairs, improved barricading, better deployment of traffic marshals, and upgraded service lanes with clearer signage and safe pedestrian crossings. Police said such inspections would be regular and appealed to residents to follow traffic rules responsibly.
