In Jammu, 88 people died and over 1,000 sustained injuries in 699 road accidents across Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch during the first seven months of 2023. In response, Traffic Police Rural Jammu launched a special enforcement campaign aimed at two-wheeler violations, which accounted for 44 percent of these crashes. In total, officials issued 8,675 fines during this intensive drive, highlighting a pressing road safety concern.
Beginning September 1 and running until September 14, the awareness-cum-enforcement initiative stemmed from an analysis of accident data that indicated a significant involvement of two-wheelers in roadway incidents. A spokesperson from Traffic Police (Rural Jammu) confirmed this alarming trend, underscoring the urgent need for strict traffic regulations.
The report, covering the period from January 1 to July 31, detailed that two-wheelers participated in 309 of the total accidents, leading to 39 fatalities. Additionally, the analysis revealed that 384 individuals suffered injuries in two-wheeler-related incidents. The data indicated that 144 cases were categorized as single-vehicle accidents involving these motorbikes.
When examining accident hotspots, a stark 41 percent of total accidents on National Highways involved two-wheelers, while 47 percent of accidents on other roads fell into the same category. Alarmingly, 27 percent of those affected were under the age of 26.
To combat this troubling trend, Traffic Police Rural Jammu implemented a comprehensive campaign addressing both awareness and enforcement. Authorities issued 8,675 challans, including notable violations such as 5,767 riders penalized for riding without helmets and 1,152 pillion riders cited for neglecting helmet use. Furthermore, 1,106 offenses related to triple riding were recorded.
Other violations included 188 riders using mobile phones while driving, 260 for dangerous driving behaviors, and 146 lacking valid driving licenses. Also, three minors operating two-wheelers illegally faced immediate action, leading to vehicle seizures alongside 50 additional riders for modifying their vehicles unlawfully. In total, authorities confiscated 187 vehicles during this enforcement drive.
In support of the enforcement efforts, Traffic Police Rural Jammu conducted 267 awareness programmes at various public places including educational institutions, libraries, and playgrounds to educate citizens, particularly youth, on road safety and the Motor Vehicles Act.
Additionally, on-road safety counselling sessions took place in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Dedicated canopies served as interactive zones for road users, following an innovative “no-challan, only counselling” approach. During these sessions, riders received guidance on critical topics such as helmet usage, traffic discipline, and the hazards associated with reckless driving.
This counselling initiative did not result in any fines, emphasizing a focus on dialogue and education rather than punishment. Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser, noted that similar specialized drives targeting Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) would soon follow. He urged all motorists to adhere stringently to traffic regulations, reaffirming that stringent actions against violators would continue in the public interest.
