Hyderabad Police Crack Down On Wrong-Side Driving Menace
- Special enforcement drives target reckless motorists citywide
- Authorities warn of strict penalties for repeated traffic violations
The Hyderabad Traffic Police have intensified enforcement operations across the city following a troubling surge in motorists driving on the wrong side of the road. Officials said the widespread violation has become a serious cause of road accidents and growing congestion, prompting a series of high-intensity crackdowns.
In the first week of October alone, police booked 10,652 motorists during a week-long drive targeting wrong-side driving. Officials noted that the problem is particularly severe near market hubs and residential areas, where two-wheelers frequently weave through traffic or use medians and U-turns as shortcuts. This behaviour often results in sudden collisions and life-threatening situations for oncoming drivers.
DCP Traffic-I, Rahul Hegde, said, “The figure is part of a continuing trend of focused short-term drives that routinely turn up large numbers of violators. Motorists cut across lanes to save time, use service roads or median openings as shortcuts, or avoid congestion at intersections.” Police teams are conducting both mobile and static checks supported by camera-assisted surveillance, and violators are being fined under strict provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Officials added that wrong-side driving has already led to multiple fatalities in recent years. To prevent further incidents, traffic authorities have increased manpower deployment at key points and are using real-time monitoring tools. “With limited staff and besides traffic regulation duties, we are working towards better and safer roads by curbing this menace through regular special drives. However, there needs to be a change in motorist behaviour too,” the DCP said.
Joint Commissioner of Traffic, D Joel Davis, along with senior officers, has urged residents to adhere to lane discipline and warned of tougher action against repeat offenders. In several surprise checks, vehicles were seized and spot challans issued.
Road safety activists, while welcoming the police action, stressed that enforcement alone is not enough. They urged city planners to improve signage and lane markings, redesign unsafe median openings, and increase awareness campaigns to change driving habits. Motorists, meanwhile, said that long-term results will depend on sustained police visibility and better road engineering to reduce violations and prevent avoidable deaths.
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