Ludhiana tops state in traffic violations

The Ludhiana Commissionerate Police have created a record of sorts by challaning 1,43,774 offenders of traffic rules for committing 1,70,993 offences in 2024.

Fine to the tune of over Rs 9.05 crore was recovered from them. Riding without a helmet, wrong parking and wrong side driving were among the top three traffic violations, as many as 958 underage drivers were also caught and fined Rs 15.95 lakh.

Besides, 2,482 challans were also issued for drunken driving and a fine of Rs 60.05 lakh was imposed on them. The number of challans issued and also the amount of fine imposed on the violators in 2024 was not only the highest in the state but also the maximum in five years in Ludhiana, the official figures have revealed.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal told The Tribune that they had been undertaking a sustained drive against traffic violators besides spreading awareness about the traffic rules with an aim to make the roads safer.

Besides challaning and imposing heavy fine, the Commissionerate Police have also impounded 3,433 vehicles of the habitual traffic offenders between January 1 and December 31 last year.

The offence-wise break-up of the traffic challans issued in 2024 revealed that helmetless riding topped the chart of violations with a maximum of 31,982 challans and a fine of Rs 10.91 lakh imposed on the offenders. Wrong parking followed with 22,700 challans and Rs 45.43-lakh fine, while 12,421 challans were issued for driving on the wrong side and Rs 22,59,500 fine imposed on the offenders. Similarly, 9,872 challans were issued for using unauthorised number plate with the fine amounting to Rs 90.72 lakh.

As many as 9,132 challans were issued for speeding and Rs 1.08-crore in fine imposed on the offenders.

Besides, 6,814 challans and were issued for driving without seat belt, 7,215 for driving without licence, 6,940 for triple riding, 3,433 for driving without valid documents, and 3,125 for jumping the red light.