4 days ago
Two-wheelers are top traffic offenders in city; over 30 lakh challans issued in 2024
Mumbai: Two-wheeler riders were the biggest traffic offenders in the city in 2024. Over 30 lakh challans were issued to two-wheelers for various violations, with cars coming a distant second (9.2 lakh challans), police data shows.
Public transport drivers did slightly better. Autorickshaw drivers were given 7.6 lakh challans, kaali-peeli taxi drivers 2.4 lakh and public bus drivers around 46,000.
Experts said two-wheeler numbers are exploding in the city. Out of 50 lakh vehicles in the city, 30 lakh are two-wheelers. "We often find motorcyclists jumping signals, riding in the wrong direction and cutting lanes. In a few instances they have rammed into our personnel while trying to evade legal action," said a senior police official.
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by Taboola
by Taboola
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jay Govale, vice-president with the NGO United Way Mumbai, said a high number of challans doesn't necessarily mean that violations have increased. "It could mean enforcement has stepped up," he said, highlighting that two-wheeler riders and pillions form a large share of crash-related fatalities. The NGO has collaborated with RTOs at Thane, Andheri and other locations to train learners in defensive driving.
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Among overall violations that local police stations came across in 2024, the most frequent were riding without helmet (13.4 lakh challans) and parking offences (12.8 lakh challans) that underscore the parking crisis in the city. Experts have recommended putting conditions on the purchase of new vehicles and improving public transport.
Police data also shows that auto/taxi drivers received 4.66 lakh challans for refusing to ply.
Auto union leader Shashank Rao said drivers of illegal autos indulge in maximum violations and such vehicles should be taken off the road. "We work with the authorities to identify illegal autos and unscrupulous drivers plying without uniforms and badges," said Rao. Union leader Thampy Kurien had a different take on why the number of challans for 'refusing to ply' were high.
"In many instances, traffic cops threaten to fine auto drivers Rs 500 for 'illegal parking' when the driver is inside the vehicle waiting for a passenger.
After the driver's pleas, the policeman reduces the charge to 'refusal' and fines the driver Rs 50."
Transporters demanded that enforcement through phones should be stopped and the use of surveillance cameras or sensor-based enforcement should be mandated. Police data shows 68% of total challans issued by the department in 2024 remained unpaid with dues reaching a staggering Rs 382 crore in fines.
