Wrong-side driving: Delhi Police registers 72 FIRs in five-day crackdown

New Delhi: Delhi Traffic Police registered 72 FIRs and issued 7,249 challans against motorists for wrong-side driving between May 4 and May 9 as part of a crackdown on the dangerous traffic violation, a major cause of head-on collisions, congestion and fatal road accidents.

Strict legal action is being taken not only through challans but also through registration of criminal cases in blatant violations, police said. “Wrong-side driving poses a serious threat to public safety, disrupts smooth traffic flow and significantly increases the risk of accidents and fatalities,” a senior traffic police officer said.

Data shared by the Traffic Police showed that the Central Range registered the highest number of FIRs at 16 during the enforcement period. Eastern Range followed with 14 FIRs, while New Delhi Range recorded 13 cases. Northern Range registered 12 FIRs, Western Range 10 and Southern Range seven.

Traffic Police officials said the drive is being carried out across the National Capital Territory with a focus on stretches where motorists frequently violate lane discipline by driving against the designated flow of traffic to take shortcuts.

“Such violations are commonly seen among two-wheeler riders, e-rickshaw drivers, delivery vehicle riders and private vehicle owners, especially on busy arterial roads, intersections and service lanes. The practice often forces vehicles moving in the correct direction to suddenly brake or swerve, increasing the possibility of collisions,” additional commissioner of police (Traffic Headquarters) Vijayanta Goyal Arya said.

Police said personnel have been directed to take immediate action against offenders found driving on the wrong side of the road. In serious cases, FIRs are being registered in addition to prosecution under traffic laws and motorists found indulging in reckless violations would face strict action.

Police also appealed to commuters not to take shortcuts by driving against traffic and urged motorists to strictly follow designated carriageways and traffic rules.

On April 30, a 25-year-old delivery executive died after allegedly driving on the wrong side and being hit by a car near the Dabri Mor flyover in southwest Delhi. The impact flung him off the flyover onto the road below. Footage of the incident also went viral on social media.