Open House: What should be done to deter the growing number of traffic violations?

GST cut spurs traffic chaos

The Union Government, by slashing GST slabs on small cars and two-wheelers, has significantly boosted the sale of both categories of vehicles. Banks and financial institutions are also providing instalment facilities to buyers, making vehicle ownership easier. As a result, the number of four-wheelers and two-wheelers on the roads has increased sharply. However, the condition and width of the roads are well known to both the public and the administration. Despite the presence of yellow lines and pedestrian footpaths constructed for public convenience, the reality remains grim. Most pedestrian paths are occupied by shopkeepers displaying their items, while two-wheelers are parked adjacent to these footpaths. When both sides of the road are encroached upon for parking, the effective width of the road reduces to a single lane, yet traffic from both directions continues to flow, leading inevitably to traffic jams. For smooth and hazard-free movement of vehicles, it is imperative that traffic signal lights are in working order. The size of zebra crossings should be reduced and the yellow signal light must function properly before traffic police begin issuing e-challans. E-rickshaw drivers should be strictly instructed to follow traffic signals. A question arises as to why e-rickshaws and three-wheelers are not allowed between PNB Chowk (Company Bagh Chowk) and Adda Basti Chowk by the administration. Moreover, the recent construction work in the middle of Basti Adda Chowk has raised concerns among vehicle owners, particularly those diverting from Jail Chowk to Football Chowk. The rising number of vehicles remains the major cause of traffic congestion. E-challans alone will not succeed unless the administration deploys traffic personnel at all major chowks to penalize violators on the spot. Public awareness is equally vital—citizens must be educated not to halt vehicles recklessly on roads and must strictly follow traffic regulations to prevent hazards.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Fear of Law Missing

Agreed that the ever-growing cases of traffic violations are a serious concern and need to be tackled by creating and maintaining a strong deterrence among violators of all types. It is generally observed that the fear of law is ironically missing in our society, and this is most evident in the way traffic rules are flouted daily. To build a culture of compliance, strict enforcement by the concerned agencies is essential—without any exceptions whatsoever. Once the principle of fear and deterrence is firmly established, the volume of traffic violations will certainly decline. In foreign countries where traffic discipline is widely observed, it is not always voluntary compliance that keeps roads orderly. More often, it is the fear of heavy penalties, imposed indiscriminately, that ensures discipline. To achieve similar results here, honest and efficient officers, equipped with technological support, must be stationed at crucial points to create and maintain effective deterrence among traffic violators.

Jagdish Chander

Enforcement and awareness needed

Traffic violations remain among the most persistent and dangerous issues facing Punjab. Many people break traffic rules casually and even mock those who choose to follow them. Running red lights and exceeding speed limits have become a matter of misplaced pride for certain individuals who risk not only their own lives but also those of others—all for a fleeting adrenaline rush. They fail to realise the grave consequences of their recklessness.To effectively combat traffic violations, efforts must go beyond the mere issuance of electronic challans. Continuous, round-the-clock patrolling at all major traffic checkpoints is essential to ensure constant monitoring and enforcement of rules. Furthermore, extensive awareness campaigns should be organised in schools, communities, and public spaces to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, red-light jumping, and negligent driving. Only through consistent enforcement combined with public education can we restore safety and discipline on Punjab’s roads.

Lakshit Jindal

Instil traffic discipline early

As citizens of the world’s largest democracy, we seem to be exercising our rights while forgetting our duties—creating chaos in the process. This applies to nearly every aspect of our lives, and today’s point of concern is the widespread traffic violations happening right under the nose of the traffic police. In a country where many assume that helmets are “not for me,” two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws often take sharp, unpredictable turns, putting others at risk. They easily escape police attention. There must be strict punishment for such offenders. The introduction of e-challans was long overdue and has already begun to regulate traffic, particularly at Guru Nanak Mission Chowk. However, the traffic department must ensure that signal lights are fully functional. For example, the lights at GNM Chowk—on the route from Ambedkar Chowk toward APJ School—are not working properly and must be fixed immediately. Improving traffic sense should begin early. Every school should make it mandatory to teach traffic rules to children at an age when they can easily grasp such concepts. If discipline is instilled early, future generations will behave more responsibly on the roads. Road safety education should form a part of the school curriculum; introducing it only in college would be too late, as habits of rule-breaking may already be ingrained.Rash driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, over-speeding, and engaging in street races just for a thrill are heart-breaking realities that cost lives. I sincerely hope that we see light at the end of this tunnel soon.

Manveen Mann

Strict enforcement imperative

Despite the rapid increase in the number of vehicles, our road infrastructure has failed to keep pace with growing traffic demands. Every day, numerous accidents and cases of road rage are reported, yet effective control over reckless driving and blatant rule violations remains elusive. This chaos, driven by indiscipline and thrill-seeking behavior, endangers both life and property. Sadly, many offenders escape punishment by exploiting their influential connections. Hence, there is an urgent need for strict enforcement of traffic laws to curb negligence and ensure commuter safety. Measures such as impounding vehicles, imposing instant fines, and even arrests where necessary should be implemented to instill accountability among defiant drivers. In this context, initiatives like automated e-challaning and the identification of accident-prone zones under intelligent traffic management systems are commendable. The proactive role of the State Sadak Suraksha Force (SSF) in providing timely assistance to accident victims also deserves appreciation. The installation of CCTV cameras at key points has strengthened surveillance, enabling police to penalize offenders effectively and deter future violations. Real-time monitoring of offences such as signal jumping and wrong-lane overtaking is now possible. Ultimately, saving precious lives demands uncompromising enforcement, disciplined driving habits, and strict adherence to traffic regulations.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Hold reckless drivers accountable

The government must take stricter action against drivers whose reckless behaviour leads to the loss of innocent lives. Simply identifying accident-prone areas or traffic violation hotspots is not enough to address the growing problem of road safety. While such data can help in planning preventive measures, it does little to deter individuals who continue to drive irresponsibly. Those who endanger the lives of others by ignoring traffic rules, over-speeding, or driving under the influence should face stringent legal consequences. Stronger enforcement of existing laws, along with harsher penalties for repeat offenders, is essential to instil a sense of accountability among drivers. Punishments such as higher fines, licence suspensions, mandatory driving courses, or even imprisonment in extreme cases must be considered. Only when there is a clear understanding that reckless driving has serious consequences will people begin to act responsibly on the road. Without accountability, the problem will persist.

Rajat Sharma

Speeding causes road tragedies

Over-speeding remains one of the leading causes of road accidents and fatalities. When drivers exceed speed limits, they reduce their ability to react to sudden obstacles or changes in traffic, significantly increasing the risk of collisions. Driving at a safe or moderate pace not only ensures better control of the vehicle but also provides more time to respond to unexpected situations, thereby minimising the likelihood of accidents. Unfortunately, many drivers behave recklessly, acting as if they own the road, endangering not only their lives but also those of others. This careless attitude often results in tragic consequences. To curb this growing issue, stricter enforcement of speed limits is essential. Harsher penalties, including heavy fines, licence suspension, or mandatory driving courses, should be imposed on those caught over-speeding. Only through firm and consistent action can we hope to change driver behaviour and make roads safer for everyone.

Ravneet Kaur

Fix infrastructure first

Issuing e-challans is fine, but authorities must first address basic infrastructure issues. For instance, zebra crossings exist, but in many places, there’s no proper way for pedestrians to actually cross. Without proper signals or enforcement, these markings serve little purpose. Before penalising citizens, traffic police should fix such shortcomings and ensure roads are truly safe. Moreover, simply issuing fines won’t reduce accidents unless strict action is taken against reckless drivers. Accountability should apply to everyone, including officials responsible for road planning and enforcement. Real road safety comes from systemic improvements, not just fines and automated challans.

Yashika Sharma