Two-Wheelers Dominate Delhi's Wrong-Side Driving Offenses
Delhi police have intensified their crackdown on wrong-side driving, and new data reveals a troubling trend. Two-wheelers have emerged as the biggest offenders, accounting for a staggering 72% of all prosecutions last year. This represents a sharp 33% increase compared to 2024 figures.
Sharp Rise in Violations Across Vehicle Types
The numbers tell a clear story. Two-wheeler violations jumped dramatically from 1,66,023 cases in 2024 to 2,20,018 cases in 2025. Three-wheelers also showed an increase, with violations rising from 13,427 to 14,574. E-rickshaws followed this pattern, with 14,806 flouting traffic norms against 12,366 the previous year.
Overall, the total number of challans and notices issued for wrong-side driving climbed by 23%. The figure increased from 2,49,244 in 2024 to 3,06,020 in 2025. This significant rise highlights the growing challenge facing Delhi's traffic authorities.
Why Drivers Take Dangerous Shortcuts
Police officials have identified several reasons behind this dangerous behavior. Most offenders admit they drive on the wrong side to save time during traffic congestion, often following other vehicles doing the same. Some cite urgent needs to reach schools, offices, or medical emergencies as their justification.
Traffic officers note that two-wheelers, due to their small size and easy maneuverability, frequently take risky shortcuts. Three-wheelers and e-rickshaws, driven by time and cost pressures, show similar patterns. These vehicles often weave through traffic in dangerous ways to gain minutes.
Mixed Trends Among Other Vehicle Categories
While two-wheelers show alarming increases, some vehicle types demonstrate different patterns. Private cars recorded a slight decline in violations, with cases dropping from 37,597 in 2024 to 35,799 in 2025. Bus-related cases also fell from 749 to 626 during the same period.
However, commercial vehicles present a mixed picture. Commercial cars and vans showed an upward trend, increasing from 8,671 to 9,545 cases. Goods vehicles registered a marginal decline from 10,198 to 9,917. Gramin Sewas and vehicles in other categories saw notable increases in violations.
Police Shift to FIR Registration
Delhi police have taken a stronger legal stance against wrong-side driving. Authorities began filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against offenders starting January 3. So far, 89 cases have been registered under this new approach.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Neeraj Thakur emphasized that legal action represents only one part of their strategy. The traffic police are also focusing on creating awareness among motorists. Officers now inform offenders about the legal consequences of such violations. They highlight the grave risks these actions pose not only to the drivers themselves but to all road users.
Experts Point to Systemic Issues
Former Deputy Commissioner of Transport Anil Chhikara identified a major problem. He said a lack of awareness among drivers about the serious consequences of wrong-side driving contributes significantly to its prevalence. Many people simply do not understand the dangers and legal implications. Chhikara stressed that road safety education must begin when a person first learns to drive.
He also noted another practical issue. Wrong-way driving prohibition signs often lack prominent placement in high-risk areas. This oversight makes it easier for drivers to ignore or miss important warnings.
Rohit Baluja, President of the Institute of Road Traffic Education, offered additional insights. He attributed the persistent problem to a combination of poor traffic engineering and weak enforcement. Baluja emphasized the need to understand why road users resort to shortcuts. Authorities should address these issues through appropriate traffic engineering measures, supported by strict and consistent enforcement.
The data clearly shows Delhi faces a growing challenge with wrong-side driving. While two-wheelers lead the offense statistics, the problem affects multiple vehicle categories. Police efforts combining legal action with awareness campaigns aim to reverse this dangerous trend. Experts agree that both better education and improved infrastructure will prove crucial for lasting change.
