LUDHIANA: Taking a tough stand against traffic rule violators, the Ludhiana police commissionerate has issued challans to over 72,000 people in the last six months and imposed fines of around Rs 3.89 crore on them. However, official data showed that the number of challans issued this year and the amount of fines imposed on violators has been less compared to last year. Commissioner of Police (CP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal told The Tribune on Tuesday that the commissionerate police has been conducting special drives against traffic violators, besides spreading awareness about traffic rules, with an aim to make roads safer. Official data compiled by the commissionerate traffic police, a copy of which is with The Tribune, showed that 72,231 traffic violators were challaned and fined Rs 3,88,63,650 for violating various traffic rules in the Ludhiana police commissionerate limits from January 1 to June 30 this year. Besides, 1,541 vehicles of habitual traffic violators were also seized during the period. The offence-wise break-up of traffic challans issued this year shows that the highest number of 15,017 challans were issued for driving without helmet, followed by 13,897 for wrong parking, 6,334 for wrong side driving, 5,452 for using unauthorised number plate, 3,970 for driving without seat belt, 3,580 for driving without driving licence, 2,686 for triple riding, 1,582 for using mobile phone while driving and 1,208 for jumping red light. In comparison, 1,11,496 traffic violators were challaned during the same period last year and a fine of Rs 7,03,73,700 was imposed on them. Besides, 1,524 vehicles of habitual traffic violators were also seized between January 1 and June 30, 2023.
Earlier, during the same period in 2022, 60,725 traffic violators were challaned and fined Rs 3,97,51,450 for violating various traffic rules, in 2021, 97,642 traffic violators were challaned and fined Rs 8,91,61,700, in 2020, 1,48,356 traffic violators were fined Rs 7,20,47,780 and in 2021, 1,96,467 traffic violators were challaned who were fined Rs 7,22,81,149. Calling upon commuters to follow traffic rules, the Police Commissioner said this not only ensures safety on roads but also avoids unnecessary litigation and financial burden incurred after getting caught. He said the Commissionerate Police is organising traffic awareness and education camps in various parts of the city to ensure safe roads where the density of vehicles and traffic on roads is the highest.
