3.25 lakh traffic violators challaned in 4 months in Chandigarh
The impunity with which the traffic rules are violated and road safety is compromised in Chandigarh is evident from the fact that over 3.25 lakh challans were issued for violations and about Rs 5.35 crore fine was recovered from the violators in the first four months of this year, official figures have revealed.
The number of challans issued between January and April this year was highest since 2020, according to Traffic Police data. Notably, Chandigarh is known for strict implementation of traffic rules with one of the best infrastructures and systems in place to catch the offenders.
The official data exclusively accessed by The Tribune revealed that speeding, helmetless driving, and red light jumping while driving dangerously were among the top three offences in the city.
According to the official records, about 1,800 vehicles of traffic violators were impounded and 90 driving licences of habitual and repeat offenders were seized during the period.
Since 2020, the maximum number of over 10.32 lakh traffic challans was issued in 2023 while the highest recovery of Rs 28.33 crore fine from traffic violators was made in 2022. About 17,000 vehicles were impounded and 10,206 driving licences of habitual or repeat offenders seized in 2020, which was the highest count in the past five years.
The year-wise break-up showed that 1.87 lakh traffic challans were issued in 2020 and Rs 14.73 crore fine was recovered. As many as 16,913 vehicles were impounded, and 10,206 driving licences were seized during the year.
The year 2021 saw 2.43 lakh challans, Rs 15 crore fine, 2,846 vehicles being impounded, and seizure of 8,403 driving licences. In 2022, the Traffic Police issued 6.11 lakh challans, collected Rs 28.33 crore fine, impounded 4,210 vehicles, and seized 2,944 driving licences. The next year, 10.32 lakh challans were issued, Rs 26.26 crore fine collected, 10,209 vehicles impounded, and 1,730 driving licences were seized. Last year saw 10.25 lakh challans, Rs 21.38 crore fine, 5,504 vehicles being impounded, and seizure of 800 driving licences.
When it comes to traffic offences, about 1.55 lakh challans were issued for red-light jumping while driving dangerously, 39,000 for speeding, and over 38,000 for stepping zebra crossing in the first four months of this year. However, the challaning for helmetless driving, which remained among the top three offences since 2020, witnessed a considerable dip with only 3,100 challans being issued for the offence from January to April this year.
The data revealed that a maximum of 3,582 challans for drunken driving were issued last year, followed by 3,254 in 2023, only 322 in 2020, and 166 in 2022 while no such offender was caught in 2021. This year’s count of about 1,900 challans for drunken driving from January to April was the highest in the proportion of the four-month period since 2020.
The cumulative challan count was also highest this year in the proportion of the four-month period as 10.32 lakh traffic challans were issued in 2023, 10.25 lakh in 2024, 6.11 lakh in 2022, 2.43 lakh in 2021, and only 1.87 lakh in 2020.
Least offences
Among the three traffic offences for which least challans were issued since 2020 included taxi without fare meter, minor driving without licence, and high security registration plates not affixed on two-wheelers.
Traffic police strength in UT
Headed by a SSP-rank officer, the UT Traffic Police have manpower of 643 personnel, including six DSPs, 11 inspectors, 22 sub-inspectors, 20 head constables, 267 constables, 84 lady constables, and 169 volunteers to assist the cops on duty. It has a fleet of 96 vehicles, including 76 two-wheelers and 20 four-wheelers. Besides, the process to procure eight more interceptor four-wheelers was in progress.
