Open House: Are challans the only way to enforce traffic rules in Chandigarh?

Keep tabs on repeat offenders

The blunt assertion by MP Manish Tewari of calling Chandigarh "Challangarh" does not really sit well with the ones who adhere to road etiquettes. Challans definitely aren't the only way to enforce traffic rules but they have a huge impact. Challans coupled with stricter measures can help enforce traffic rules. Keeping closer tabs on repeated offenders followed by license suspension is one. Ensuring on ground traffic police presence is another that foster a safer environment.

Parul Bakshi, Chandigarh

balance enforcement with education

Chandigarh needs a balanced mix of education, engineering, and enforcement. Launch sustained public awareness campaigns using schools, RWAs, and social media to instill road discipline. Improve road design-clear signage, better lighting, and safe pedestrian crossings reduce unintentional violations. Encourage citizen participation through traffic volunteers and certain reward programmes for model drivers.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

smart infrastructure Need of the hour

Chandigarh could adopt smart infrastructure like redesigned intersections and road markings that intuitively guide drivers toward safer behavior, reducing the need for enforcement. Public awareness campaigns, using targeted social media and community engagement, can foster a culture of road safety by highlighting the "why" behind the rules. A merit-based system that rewards good driving could also incentivise compliance with rules.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Remove confusing signs, traffic lights

Citizens should be allowed to contest unfair challans through an easy digital process. CCTV reviews can be used as evidence. Improving public transportation will reduce private vehicles on road, decreasing traffic chaos and potential violations. Usually many challans result from confusing or poorly planned road setups, signs and traffic lights, which punish drivers unfairly. Focus should also be on a driving education programmes.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Better traffic management is key

Better traffic management is key to improving the ground situation. With technological advancements, an intelligent traffic management system can be developed and strengthened. It will reduce police intervention and eliminate chances of misuse of authority and harassment. The traffic cops should be deployed to regulate traffic and handle emergent situations but certainly not for unnecessary manual intervention.

SS Arora, Mohali

Increase awareness among the public

The police can play a vital role in promoting road safety by actively deploying vans in city markets to educate citizens on traffic violations. To improve road safety, the police should focus on raising awareness about traffic rules rather than only issuing challans. Collaborating with the education department to run awareness campaigns for students and holding regular meetings with commercial drivers can further promote understanding.

SS Arora, Mohali

Fines are a reaction, not a remedy

Fines are a reaction, not a remedy. They penalize the act, not the mindset behind it. When getting fined becomes just another routine, the fear fades-and so does the purpose. Sustainable road discipline requires a shift in strategy. Start with educating students, running behavior-focused awareness drives, improving public transport, and using smart tech to manage traffic better. Penalties alone won't solve a problem rooted in habits and attitudes.

JeevanJyoti, Mohali

Need to instil fear of punishment

Traffic management in Chandigarh is much better than many other cities and it because of the fear of punishment. For the habitual violators traffic rules like over speeding or drunk driving, even challans are not a deterrent. For them, even stricter action like impounding of their vehicle, taking the offenders into custody with appropriate acts must be taken to instill fear of law.

Sqn Ldr Manjit Singh Johar (retd.), Chandigarh

Don't issue challans for frivolous reasons

Most violations in the city are captured by CCTVs and due to strict enforcement of rules, the traffic has been much regulated. But it is observed that due to this system of checking traffic violations, sometimes people get challaned for frivolous reasons as well, like stopping beyond the zebra crossing at the traffic lights even though the vehicle is not parked on the zebra crossing itself. Sometimes such a violation is beyond the control of the driver, so challans should not be issued in such cases.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Tech-driven system harassing commuters

The surge in challans hasn't necessarily translated into improved road discipline or reduction in the number of accidents. The automatic challan system has been criticised for being prone to errors, leading to unnecessary fines and harassment for citizens. The system has also resulted in a significant increase in court cases, further burdening the judicial system. Such flaws should be addressed to save people from harassment.

Capt Amar Jeet, Kharar

Issue only warnings for first-time violators

There are a large number of traffic violations, making it nearly impossible for an average driver to consistently comply with each of them. Nevertheless, the principle that ignorance of the law is no excuse must still prevail. While it is essential that police officers maintain vigilance, a more balanced approach could be adopted at the same time by issuing warning slips to first-time violators and reserving harsher penalties for repeat offenders.

Narinder Banwait

Explore other ways to ensure compliance

Challans are not the only way to enforce traffic rules. While they serve as a deterrent, other measures can also promote road safety and compliance. Some alternative strategies include educating citizens about traffic rules and the importance of road safety, implementing intelligent traffic signals and deputing honest police officers to regulate the traffic.

Dr Monica Agarwal, Chandigarh

Motivate students to obey traffic rules

Although challans are helpful in enforcing traffic rules, but education, information and motivation can develop traffic sense among citizens. Hold motivational lectures in schools and colleges to inculcate a habit of observing traffic rules in students. Vehicles from other states should be stopped or checked only for visible offences and spared of challan for minor violation. Chandigarh needs to get rid of this tag of ‘Challangarh’, it is better off as City Beautiful.

HS Dhanoa, Chandigarh

Heavy penalties act as strong deterrent

Challans are certainly not the only way to enforce traffic rules, but they are among the most effective. Lower penalties send a dangerous message — "It's okay to be careless and consequences are affordable". In contrast, heavy penalties create fear, build discipline and act as a strong deterrent. They serve as a reminder that roads are not racetracks, but shared spaces and every life matters. Let the penalty be so high that it forces every driver to pause and think before jumping a red light or speeding.

Ravinder Nath

Cops should focus on regulating traffic

We must educate and encourage people to follow traffic rules in letter and spirit. Help of traffic marshals, scouts and NCC cadets must be taken to create awareness. Campaigns for safe driving practices should be held. Regulating traffic, not making money, should be the motto of the traffic police.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Need citizen-friendly, efficient system

Real-time violation detection technologies, automated number plate recognition, smart traffic signals and Artificial Intelligence-based surveillance are changing the way traffic is managed in different parts of the world. Awareness and accountability are the key to creating efficient and citizen-friendly traffic management system.

Kumud Sachdeva, Dera Bassi

Encourage people for compliance with rules

While challans are a common tool for enforcing traffic rules in Chandigarh, they are not the only solution. A truly effective traffic system relies on a combination of education, infrastructure and technology. Public awareness campaigns can instill a sense of responsibility among citizens, encouraging voluntary compliance rather than forced obedience.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh