Delhi’s traffic scene is increasingly dominated by a concerning trend—commercial vehicles, particularly those operating under the pressure of meeting tight deadlines, are repeatedly flouting road safety regulations. Three vehicles, each with a staggering number of pending challans, have come to symbolize the city’s growing concern over reckless driving. These vehicles have collectively accumulated over 2,000 traffic violations, with speeding being the common thread that links them all.
One private cab from Faridabad leads the pack, with 855 challans pending, the vast majority of which—807 in total—are for exceeding the speed limit. The second highest offender, another private cab, has 637 challans, with a similar pattern, as 565 of them are for speeding. A goods carrier comes in third, with 596 challans, almost all of which are for speeding, underscoring a persistent disregard for road regulations. These figures come as Delhi Traffic Police officials express growing concern over such persistent violations, especially as they continue to pose significant risks to road safety. In addition to speeding, these vehicles are frequently cited for other infractions such as running red lights, violating stop lines, and improper parking. The authorities are now mulling stricter actions to curb the number of accidents and traffic-related incidents, especially as these vehicles continue to operate largely unchecked.
The challenges posed by these habitual offenders are not limited to the vehicles themselves but also to the broader system of accountability. Many of these vehicles are operated under contract, making it difficult for the authorities to trace the actual owners, as some registrations are linked to false addresses. This complicates the process of serving challans and ensuring that violators face appropriate consequences. Traffic police officials have stated that they are actively considering enhanced enforcement measures, including denying entry to habitual offenders, and are evaluating the possibility of revoking licenses for drivers involved in multiple dangerous violations. This follows their initiative earlier this year to deny entry to vehicles involved in 122 accidents in January and February. The focus will be on habitual offenders, with commercial vehicles, in particular, becoming a major target of the crackdown.
Transport experts have long pointed out the need for stricter regulations and greater accountability for reckless drivers. As speeding remains a leading cause of accidents, experts argue that more authority should be granted to the police to deal with offenders swiftly. Many also call for stronger penalties, including the cancellation of vehicle registrations and, in some cases, imprisonment for repeat offenders. As Delhi’s road safety measures come under increasing scrutiny, the authorities are under pressure to enact more stringent measures to curb the dangerous behaviour of commercial vehicle drivers, ensuring that the roads become safer for everyone.