Mumbai saw a huge increase in legal action against rash and negligent driving in 2024. More than 10,000 FIRs were filed in the police stations across the city.
This was a massive jump in comparison to only 404 FIRs registered in 2023.
Of the total FIRs in 2024, 8,588 were registered under IPC sections 279 (rash driving) and 336 (endangering life). Also, 582 cases involved section 337 (causing hurt) and 1,628 cases involved section 338 (causing grievous hurt), according to data released by the traffic police.
Speaking to HT, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare said that after an FIR is lodged, the driving licenses of the offenders are either suspended or cancelled.
The police pointed out areas like Sakinaka, Chakala, Powai, Nagpada, Western Express Highway and Oshiwara as hotspots for dangerous driving practices.
The increase in FIRs is seen when former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey initiated strict enforcement measures in 2022.
Under his guidance, those found driving on the wrong side or recklessly The drivers were booked under the Indian Penal Code. Their vehicles were seized and they were produced in court. This enforcement will continue in the future as well.
The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019, notified by Maharashtra in 2021, further strengthened it. Although legal action has increased, traffic police sources admit that there has been no significant reduction in incidents of reckless driving.
Apart from FIRs, the traffic police fined over 65 lakh drivers for various traffic violations in 2024, out of which a fine of INR 526 crore was recovered.
However, only INR 157 crore of this amount was recovered. They were enforced through 41 traffic divisions and multimedia monitoring systems in the city.
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