Daijiworld Media Network - Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar, Jan 31: In a major crackdown on traffic violations, Gujarat authorities collected over Rs 2 Cr in fines from more than 44,000 violators for unauthorised parking as part of the National road safety month 2025. The initiative aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing accidents across the state.

The month-long campaign, which ran from January 1 to 31, focused on educating citizens about traffic regulations while enforcing strict measures against violations such as over speeding, wrong-side driving, and lack of vehicle reflectors. Officials noted that illegal roadside parking was a major cause of accidents, prompting stringent action.

A special drive was launched to improve awareness, with over one lac citizens receiving traffic safety handbills and 97,000 individuals provided with educational booklets. More than 74,000 vehicles were fitted with radium reflectors to enhance nighttime visibility and prevent collisions.

During the campaign, over 45,000 people participated in road safety programmes, 15,000 attended safety workshops, and 9,000 underwent highway safety training. Authorities also organised eye check-up camps for 3,000 individuals. Enforcement was intensified against reckless driving, with over 25,000 cases of over speeding registered using interceptor vehicles.

As part of efforts to instil traffic discipline, road safety awareness programmes were conducted in 677 schools and colleges, educating more than 1.2 lac students. Strict penalties were imposed on violators, including 2,111 cases of drunk driving under the Motor Vehicles Act-185. Officials also recorded 26,000 instances of seatbelt violations, 88,000 cases of riding without helmets, 24,000 cases of over speeding, and 18,000 for wrong-side driving.

Authorities emphasised that such initiatives would continue to ensure safer roads and better adherence to traffic rules across Gujarat.