714 traffic violators fined every hour in 2017

New Delhi: Traffic violations have doubled in Delhi this year as compared to last year, with over 714 traffic violators prosecuted every hour.

According to the data released by Delhi Traffic Police (DTP), 304 people were prosecuted last year in the same time period whereas this year the number has shot up to 714, which is nearly double. “In 2017, on an average, we had issued around 17,158 challans every day from the period between January 1 and March 28. During the same period last year, we had issued 7,312 challans,” said a senior traffic police officer.”

With a surge in the number of traffic violations, officials said that the common offences for which Delhiites were challaned included jumping red lights, overspeeding, riding without helmets and drunk driving. However, the DTP also believes that the number of fatal accidents has seen a decline this year.

“Between January 1 and March 28 this year, the national capital saw 284 fatal accidents as opposed to 412 in the last year during the same time frame,” the DTP added.

Even the non fatal accidents saw a dip from 412 last year to 287 this year between January 1 and March 28,” the DTP added.

The officer feels that the high level of prosecutions acted as a deterrent for road users. “When people are crossing traffic signals and they see other drivers being challaned, they realise the importance of following traffic rules. Seeing traffic cops on the ground instills a sense of discipline among the drivers,” said the officer.

The traffic police has stepped up deployment at vulnerable spots, especially at night. There is increased deployment around areas that are frequented by partygoers in order to ensure that people don’t drink and drive or drive rashly, he said. Last year, the number of road accidents saw a decline from the previous year. In 2016, there were 1,548 accidents in the national capital as opposed to 1,582 in 2015.