New Delhi: Traffic violations in the capital saw a 43% rise in 2024 compared to the previous year, with data from Delhi Traffic Police revealing 29,55,382 challans issued from Jan to Nov 2024, up from 20,71,812 during the same period in 2023. The figures highlight a growing disregard for traffic rules in the city.
Topping the list and highlighting the city’s desperate need for better parking management, 4,86,632 challans were issued for improper or obstructive parking, compared to 4,14,218 in 2023. Driving without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) followed, with 4,40,111 offences recorded, up from 2,05,703 last year, underscoring a lax approach to vehicle emissions and environmental compliance.
Personal safety violations were also rampant. Driving without a helmet resulted in 3,18,043 challans, while driving without a licence accounted for 2,87,572, compared to 2,67,902 and 1,82,556, respectively, in 2023.
Other notable violations included 2,45,306 instances of driving without insurance and 1,74,349 cases of allowing unauthorised individuals to drive, a significant rise from 1,25,800 and 1,21,195, respectively, last year.
Basic traffic rules were frequently ignored. Jumping red lights led to 1,12,795 challans, up from 60,121 in 2023, while driving on the wrong side and violating no-entry restrictions resulted in 99,792 and 93,684 challans, compared to 53,760 and 66,459 last year.
Additional CP (Traffic) Dinesh Gupta stated that Delhi Traffic Police implemented a strategic plan to ensure smoother traffic flow and curb violations. Critical stretches in each traffic circle were identified, and motorcycle patrols were deployed for monitoring.
The intensified patrolling was timed to coincide with peak traffic hours, from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm, targeting periods of high congestion and violations. “This proactive approach aims to streamline traffic management and minimise disruptions,” Gupta said.
Another officer noted that earlier, two separate teams handled traffic regulation and prosecutions. “Initially, only the prosecution teams were equipped with challan machines. However, we decided to provide these machines to both teams to ensure they can efficiently issue challans to offenders while also regulating traffic,” the officer said.
