Punjab sees sharp spike in traffic violations: Overspeeding challans rise 500%, drunk driving Up 430% in 5 months
Official data from the traffic wing of Punjab Police shows 16,428 challans issued for overspeeding between Jan 1 and May 31, a nearly 500% increase from the 2,745 recorded during the same period in 2024.
Drunk driving challans also soared by 430%, from 776 to 4,115 in the corresponding periods. The police have issued at least 109 overspeeding and 17 drunk driving challans daily.
A S Rai, ADGP, traffic and road safety, said, "Overspeeding and drunken driving are two major factors behind maximum accidents. To check them, the best strategy is to act tough against violators." He added that CM Bhagwant Mann directed a special focus on these areas, leading to investments in new and repaired alcometers to enhance enforcement.
The traffic and road safety wing has bolstered its arsenal, procuring 12 additional laser speed guns to supplement the existing 28, which will soon be distributed to districts for improved traffic management, according to an official. Also, 400 new breath alcohol analysers (alcometers) are being purchased to augment the 669 already in use, strengthening the fight against drunk driving, the official added.
The official said the enforcement would further increase as the automatic online challan system for overspeeding through laser speed guns mounted on Sadak Surakhya Force's interceptor vehicles on highways was set to become functional soon.
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The modalities for the system were being worked out and would be in place shortly, the official added.
The AAP-led govt launched the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) in Jan last year, making Punjab the first state with such a dedicated force to assist road accident victims and transport them to trauma centres. Comprising 129 vehicles, including 116 Toyota Hilux vehicles with advanced gadgetry, the SSF has already shown major results.
Official figures from the traffic and road safety wing indicate a 47% decrease in road accident deaths in 2024 compared to 2023, falling from 2,161 to 1,143.
District police chiefs are also actively involved in the crackdown. Pathankot SSP Diljinder Singh highlighted the strategic deployment of laser technology-based speed radars on NH 44 and roads leading to popular tourist destinations like Chamba and Dalhousie. Similarly, Hoshiarpur SSP Sandeep Kumar Malik said that curbing overspeeding and drunk driving is crucial alongside infrastructural improvements to prevent accidents.
Beyond speeding and drunk driving, challans for mobile phone usage while driving also increased by 25% this year, with 5,643 challans issued between Jan 1 and May 31, compared to 4,510 in the same period last year.
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