Traffic Cops Bust Over 9,000 Wrong Side Drivers/Riders: Collect 1.59 Crore Fine In Just 6 Days
To a lot of car drivers, bike riders, and others, driving on the wrong side may not seem like a big deal. However, this traffic rule violation causes a lot of accidents. So, to stop people from committing wrong-side driving, recently Ahmedabad traffic police started a crackdown on wrong-side drivers. During its 6-day-long crackdown, a total of 9,377 challans were issued by the authorities, and a total fine of Rs 1.59 crore was collected.
Ahmedabad traffic police collect Rs 1.59 crore from wrong-side drivers
The crackdown on wrong-side drivers in Ahmedabad commenced on July 17 and continued till July 22, a total of six days. As for the amount collected from the total 9,377 challans, it was Rs 1,59,04,300. It has been reported that 90 percent of the violations were committed by auto rickshaw drivers. Apart from them, the second biggest group was two-wheeler riders.
As per the Ahmedabad traffic police authorities, the S G Highway Zone-2 (SG-2) collected a total fine of Rs 27.76 lakh from 1,564 challans that were issued. Most of these violations took place in the stretch between Vaishnodevi to Pakwan crossroads. The next biggest collection was done by B Division Traffic Police Station.
A total of 1,440 challans were issued by the authorities, and a fine of Rs 23.47 lakh was collected. M Division Traffic Police Station collected Rs 18.04 lakh from 1,067 challans, meanwhile, N Division noted 956 cases and collected Rs 15.51 lakh. Lastly, SG-1 Division saw 696 violations, and Rs 11.80 lakh was collected.
The Ahmedabad Traffic Police has also mentioned that a total of 133 vehicles were detained. E Division detained 54 vehicles, J Division - 17 vehicles, and G Division - 12 vehicles. A total of 113 custodial arrests were also made, with M Division arresting the highest number of people at 23 and K Division following it at 20 arrests.
Following the crackdown, N. N. Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Traffic, stated that this crackdown was executed to ensure that the road safety norms are followed across the city. He added that this was especially needed along the high-speed corridors. He stated, "Wrong-side driving is not a minor offence. It is a lethal act of negligence. The campaign is meant to instill discipline and accountability among road users.”
Gujarat High Court’s verdict on wrong-side driving
Gujarat High Court recently gave its strong remarks against wrong-side driving. A bench comprising Justice A. S. Supehia and Justice R. T. Vachchani was hearing a contempt plea in a 2017 PIL on traffic issues. What recently happened was a Tata Punch with a High Court of Gujarat sticker was caught driving on the wrong side, and the police hesitated to take action due to HC affiliation.
The Gujarat High Court bench, during the hearing, stated, “It is not that the cars of High Court or any higher government officers are to be spared... We don't want that culture. No reluctance at all, no laxity. No discrimination, no special treatment. Law is to be applied. High Court not above the law."
Justice Supehia stated, “We are trying our level best to see that nuisance stops, and our officers are violating it. They cannot be spared because the number plate or name plate bears the name of High Court of Gujarat.”
It was added, “Not even my driver. I would be the first person to report to police that take action against him. It sends a very bad signal. Our efforts... all of our efforts... get diluted. Only because of one incident... is a blot on the proceedings.”