Gurgaon Traffic Police Face Uphill Battle Against Seat Belt Violations
Despite a rigorous enforcement push, seat belt violations continue to plague the roads of Gurgaon, with traffic police data revealing a persistent lack of compliance among motorists. Last year, authorities challaned approximately 67,000 individuals for failing to wear seat belts, yet this crackdown has yielded minimal improvement in adherence to safety norms.
Alarming Statistics Highlight Widespread Non-Compliance
In January alone, around 4,700 drivers were penalized for seat belt violations, resulting in fines totaling Rs 47 lakh. This surge in challans underscores the ongoing disregard for basic traffic safety measures, despite repeated warnings and campaigns by the police.
Beyond seat belts, the traffic police have intensified their focus on vehicles using illegal black film on windows. During the same period, 809 vehicles were challaned for violating black film regulations, with fines amounting to Rs 80.90 lakh. Over the past year, 12,290 persons were penalized for this offense, which authorities warn can facilitate criminal activities by obscuring identities.
Police Cite Multiple Safety Concerns
According to traffic police officials, many motorists continue to flout safety rules through various dangerous practices. These include driving without number plates, indulging in triple riding on two-wheelers, and using black film. Such behaviors not only endanger lives but also complicate law enforcement efforts.
To combat these issues, the traffic police have launched extensive awareness campaigns at key locations such as metro stations, railway stations, major intersections, schools, companies, and offices of auto and taxi unions. These initiatives aim to educate commuters about responsible driving practices and the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
Key Messages from Traffic Police Campaigns
A traffic police officer emphasized several critical points during these awareness drives:
- Residents should not allow minors to drive vehicles.
- Only two persons should travel on two-wheelers, with both wearing helmets.
- Motorists must avoid driving in the wrong direction, using mobile phones while driving, consuming intoxicants before driving, and applying black film on vehicle windows.
Gurgaon traffic police spokesperson Vikas Verma confirmed that similar enforcement drives and awareness campaigns will persist in the coming months. The goal is to enhance road safety and ensure stricter compliance with traffic norms across the city.
Comprehensive Data Reveals Scale of Violations
Police data from last year paints a stark picture of traffic violations in Gurgaon:
- Helmet violations led to 3.9 lakh challans.
- 4.5 lakh motorists were fined for triple riding or pillion rider violations.
- 5,812 cases were recorded for mobile phone use while driving, identified as an emerging cause of accidents.
- 2,03,936 motorists were penalized for driving on the wrong side.
- 1.2 lakh overspeeding cases were documented.
- 1.8 lakh wrong-side parking violations occurred.
- 79,615 challans were issued for sudden lane changes.
These figures highlight the multifaceted challenges faced by traffic police in promoting safer driving habits and reducing accident risks on Gurgaon's bustling roads.
