Daijiworld Media Network – Thane

Thane, Aug 7: The Thane Traffic Police have registered criminal cases against 30 motorists for driving on the wrong side during a special enforcement drive at Kalyan Phata, officials said.

The joint operation, conducted by the Mumbra Traffic Division and Digha Police on August 4, was carried out between 9 am and 12 noon on the Khidkali-Kalyan stretch. During the drive, police found several violators, including car drivers, two-wheeler riders and a woman biker, travelling against the flow of traffic.

Instead of issuing routine traffic challans, police registered criminal cases against the offenders at Shil-Daighar Police Station, stating that wrong-side driving posed a serious threat to public safety.

Senior Police Inspector Atul Aher of the Mumbra Traffic Division said motorists caught driving on the wrong side are usually issued "sent to court" challans. However, many violators have begun treating such penalties lightly and continue to flout traffic rules, prompting police to initiate criminal proceedings in serious cases.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat said traffic regulations are meant to ensure public safety and warned that wrong-side driving not only increases the risk of accidents but also causes traffic congestion.

Police said similar enforcement drives will continue at Kalyan Phata and other locations across Thane to curb dangerous traffic violations and improve road safety.