Number of registered cases rises from 4.76 lakh in 2023 to 14.79 lakh so far this year; dangerous driving cases see 10-fold jump
As 2024 draws to a close, Ahmedabad’s traffic situation is worsening, with a significant rise in offences and fines. The statistics points to an urgent need for better traffic management and improved public compliance with road safety rules.
By November 2024, the total number of traffic offences had more than tripled, from 4,76,232 in 2023 to 14,79,303. Fines have followed a similar trend, surging from Rs 70.19 crore in 2023 to Rs 102.97 crore by November this year.
Dangerous driving
Dangrous driving offences, including driving on the wrong side of the road, have increased dramatically. The city recorded 6,489 cases in 2023; this number rocketed to 67,596 by November 2024. Hit-and-run incidents are also on the rise, with 49 cases in the last two months alone Helmet and seat belts
Failure to comply with helmet laws remains a serious problem. Cases have skyrocketed from 11,091 in 2023 to 66,011 by November 2024. Similarly, seatbelt offences have doubled, from 38,564 in 2023 to 65,578 in the same period this year.
Mobile phone use
Despite the dangers, mobile phone use while driving continues. Offences have more than doubled, rising from 4,977 in 2023 to 11,463 by November 2024. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) N N Chaudhari says, “To improve adherence to traffic norms, awareness is key. From Wednesday, we introduced Al-based dashboards and hand-held cameras for traffic cops. Strict enforcement now seems to be the only solution. The rise in figures suggests that we are strictly enforcing the traffic norms, and we will continue to do so because it appears to be the only way forward.”