Delhi Records 1.84 Lakh Cases As Wrong Side Driving Surges
Delhi’s roads are increasingly turning into danger zones as wrong side driving emerges as a daily menace. Traffic police figures show that more than 1.84 lakh violations have already been recorded this year, averaging over 750 cases a day, exposing how routine and accepted the offence has become in the city’s commuting culture.
From underpasses and flyovers to service lanes and expressways, vehicles are frequently spotted cutting into oncoming traffic to save time, turning ordinary journeys into life-threatening encounters. The numbers underline the trend 95,800 cases were recorded in 2022, which nearly doubled to 1.84 lakh by 2023, and surged past 2.49 lakh in 2024. This year, on-the-spot prosecutions have even overtaken camera-based detections, suggesting that the scale of the problem has only grown.
Hotspots such as Bhajanpura, Najafgarh, Paschim Vihar, Sarita Vihar and Mayur Vihar account for some of the highest violations. Yet, officials admit these are only the documented cases. Social media remains flooded with clips of cars reversing down flyovers, bikes crawling across highways against traffic, and e-rickshaws entering main carriageways at will.Accidents linked to wrong side driving are also rising. In recent months, incidents have ranged from fatal crashes involving two-wheelers and cars on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway to e-rickshaw drivers colliding head-on with larger vehicles. In one case, a drunk driver going the wrong way narrowly missed running over three policemen.
Experts believe enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. While countries such as Japan, Australia and the UK impose heavy fines and demerit points leading to licence suspension, Delhi struggles with diluted penalties, weak compliance and faulty road design. Road safety researchers argue that long U-turn detours, confusing service road exits, and inadequate signage often encourage drivers to take shortcuts.Officials stress that awareness is as vital as enforcement. Traffic police have intensified prosecutions and expanded use of cameras, while also running education campaigns across schools and commuter hubs. Proposals are under consideration to integrate traffic discipline into the school curriculum to build long-term behavioural change.
Urban mobility specialists highlight that a more sustainable solution lies in correcting road engineering flaws. Service roads that empty directly into intersections or long detours for U-turns make non-compliance tempting. Experts urge authorities to review road layouts with a people-centric lens, ensuring that convenience does not compromise safety.As Delhi aspires to become a sustainable and equitable city, the unchecked culture of wrong side driving reflects a deeper disconnect between enforcement, infrastructure and civic responsibility. Without addressing behavioural, design and governance gaps together, city roads risk remaining battlegrounds rather than safe corridors for commuters.
