Traffic violations under tight scrutiny, number of challans to surpass 4 lakh by year-end: SSP Traffic Srinagar

Srinagar, Dec 20: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic Srinagar City, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah Friday said that the number of traffic challans in the city is expected to surpass 4 lakh by the end of this year.

“Traffic police Srinagar, as always, are actively addressing traffic violations. In 2022, the total number of challans issued was 3.75 lakh, and in 2024 it reached 4 lakh. This year, we expect the figure to exceed 4 lakh," Muzafar Shah told news gathering agency KINS.

While there has been a slight increase in traffic fines and vehicle seizures this year, he emphasized that this is not a new development but rather part of a consistent effort over the years to enforce road safety.

“The traffic police continue to take action against violators, including minors and parents who allow them to drive. However a positive shift has been observed in the wake of the recent “Tengpora incident”.

Parents have become more proactive in preventing minors from driving,” SSP said.

He noted that there is now more public awareness and concern about road safety, particularly with regard to minors driving vehicles.

He pointed out that while traffic police continue to enforce the law, the collective responsibility of the public, including parents and road users, is essential to reducing accidents.

The officer also underscored the importance of adhering to basic road safety measures such as wearing seat belts, helmets, and following traffic rules.

He urged the public to take responsibility for their safety as well as for the safety of others on the road.

According to him, accidents can be significantly reduced if everyone respects traffic laws and practices responsible driving.

The SSP emphasized that the traffic department is consistently working to curb violations and urged citizens to adhere to licensing rules and road safety standards to ensure smoother and safer traffic management.

He raised important concerns regarding traffic safety, emphasizing that driving licenses must align with the specific class of vehicle being operated. The officer highlighted that vehicles are classified into different categories such as two-wheelers, four-wheelers, light motor vehicles (LMV), and heavy vehicles, each requiring a specific type of driving license.

“For example, individuals with a motorcycle license (MC) are only authorized to drive two-wheelers, while a separate license is required for driving light motor vehicles or heavy vehicles. The license is endorsed with the type of vehicle one is permitted to drive, making it clear that driving a vehicle outside this category is illegal and unsafe”.

SSP Traffic clarified that the law is designed to prevent people from operating vehicles they are not qualified to handle.

This includes the critical issue of minors driving vehicles, which was highlighted in a recent accident involving underage drivers.

The officer as per KINS stressed that allowing minors access to vehicles is a serious violation of the law, with legal consequences for both the minor and the guardian who permits this behavior.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, minors are not authorized to drive, and any incident involving them behind the wheel will lead to legal action, including registration of cases under the relevant sections.

SSP Traffic Srinagar concluded by urging parents to refrain from giving minors access to vehicles, reminding the public that as road users, everyone has a shared responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on the roads.

By following traffic rules and being mindful of others, he believes that the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries can be greatly minimized, leading to safer roads for all.