Delhi sees steep fall in traffic violations

‘Cases came down by 78% within a fortnight of implementation of new rules’

Traffic police officers issue challans to a bus driver in the Capital on Wednesday.

The city witnessed a steep fall of 78% in traffic violations across categories within a fortnight of the implementation of the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Wednesday.

The amended MV Act was implemented on September 1 and as per the traffic police department, a total of 73,712 traffic challans were issued to violators till September 15. Prior to the introduction of the amended Act, as many as 3,48,272 challans were issued between August 16 and August 31.

Behavioural changes

The outer range always records highest number of traffic challans, but things have changed with the new Act. It is good for the safety of drivers and others on the road.

“We have found steepest fall in traffic violations in outer Delhi. It is good to see people obeying traffic rules. It makes our job easier,” said a traffic police officer.

A traffic police constable in New Delhi said they have witnessed behavioural changes in drivers. “One can witness the change... Drivers at any traffic signal in the city can be seen obeying rules now. People now prefer to obey rules over paying hefty fines,” the constable said.

In all the categories of traffic violations, fines have been increased by several folds. Under the new law, driving without a seat belt now invites a fine of ₹1,000, which earlier was ₹100. People are now fined ₹10,000 for drunk driving.

Meanwhile, another traffic constable said: “We are having a tough time dealing with traffic violators after the amended MV Act has been implemented. To avoid paying hefty fines, violators get into arguments with the policemen and often create a scene. We record all the activities of such trouble makers as proof.”