Gujarat has experienced a significant surge in overspeeding incidents over the past half-decade, reflecting a concerning trend in road safety management. Data released by the state home department to the Gujarat State Road Safety Authority (GSRA) reveals a staggering 79.68% increase in cases of overspeeding, from 92,848 instances in 2018 to 1,66,831 in 2023.
This alarming escalation underscores the pressing need for robust measures to address reckless driving practices and enhance road safety protocols across the state. The severity of the overspeeding crisis was starkly highlighted by a tragic incident in July last year when a 19-year-old driver, Tathya Patel, recklessly drove his Jaguar through a crowd on the Iscon flyover in Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of nine lives and injuring 13 individuals. Such harrowing episodes underscore the urgent imperative for proactive interventions to curb overspeeding and mitigate its devastating consequences on public safety.
Despite a temporary decline in overspeeding cases during the Covid-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, attributed largely to lockdown restrictions, the resurgence of reckless driving behaviours post-pandemic underscores the persistent challenges in enforcing road safety regulations effectively. In response to this escalating crisis, law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to combat overspeeding through advanced technological interventions. The acquisition of 265 new laser speed guns by the home department in the fiscal year 2023-24 signifies a proactive step towards enhancing surveillance capabilities and enforcing speed limits rigorously. Additionally, the deployment of CCTV cameras in urban centres and other strategic locations further bolsters overspeeding detection and enforcement mechanisms.
Moreover, the deployment of 48 interceptor vans equipped with speed guns underscores the state’s commitment to deploying mobile enforcement units to monitor highways and major thoroughfares effectively. These interceptor vans, augmented with 304 installed speed guns along state highways, constitute a formidable arsenal in the battle against reckless driving practices and overspeeding violations.
As Gujarat grapples with the escalating overspeeding crisis, stakeholders must collaborate closely to devise comprehensive strategies encompassing enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and infrastructure enhancements to foster a culture of responsible driving and safeguard public safety on the roads. Only through concerted efforts and sustained vigilance can Gujarat mitigate the scourge of overspeeding and ensure safer roadways for all citizens.
