In a major push to ensure safe celebrations, the Nagpur City Police has launched a stringent 10-day traffic enforcement drive spanning the Christmas and New Year period. This initiative comes on the back of the force's significant achievement in reducing road fatalities by 26% this year.
Building on Success: A 26% Drop in Fatalities
Nagpur Police's proactive measures under 'Operation U-Turn' have yielded impressive results till December 21. The city recorded 88 fatal accident deaths, marking a substantial 26% decrease compared to the same period last year. This stellar performance has earned Nagpur Police the highest ranking in the state for reducing road accident fatalities, based on data from the additional DG Traffic office.
The Festive Safety Blueprint: 121 Checkpoints Daily
From December 22 to 31, the police will deploy a massive force across the city. 121 checkpoints will operate daily in two shifts: 60 from 6 am to 2 pm and 61 from 2 pm to 6 am. These will be strategically placed at accident-prone zones, major junctions, highways, and nightlife spots known for drunk driving incidents.
Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal, addressing a press conference with Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy and DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani, made it clear that there would be no leniency. "There will be no relaxation in enforcement. We will come down heavily on illegal parking, rash and wrong-side driving," he stated. He urged citizens to celebrate responsibly to avoid tragedies, confirming that the city would be under strict police surveillance during peak hours.
Zero-Tolerance Against Traffic Violations
The police are adopting a multi-pronged approach to curb violations. Over 3,000 breathalyser tests are planned daily, targeting drunk drivers who will face severe penalties including fines up to Rs 10,000, licence suspension, and vehicle impoundment. Specialised teams will also crack down on offences like riding without helmets, triple-seat riding, dangerous overtaking, and overloading.
This drive is an extension of the sustained efforts seen from July to December, which have already led to strong actions:
- 5,366 drunk driving cases
- 7,500 wrong-side driving cases
- 700 rash driving cases
- Fines against 21,000 heavy vehicles
Routine inspections of over 3,000 vehicles daily have ensured a 100% conviction rate in drunk-driving cases, underscoring the department's commitment to rigorous enforcement. As the city gears up for festivities, the police message is unequivocal: celebrate, but do so within the bounds of law and safety.
