The recent revelations about traffic rule violation fines and the rising fatalities from road accidents in India present a paradox that demands urgent attention. According to the data shared by the government, 31 states and union territories collected a staggering Rs 12,632 crore in traffic violation fines between 2019 and 2024. Despite this significant revenue from fines, the Union Minister highlighted a troubling trend: road accident fatalities have increased, with over 1.68 lakh deaths reported this year alone.
The substantial collection of fines indicates that traffic violations are rampant nationwide. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar lead in fine collections, with Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for Rs 2,495 crore. This suggests that while enforcing traffic rules is active, compliance remains a significant challenge. The Union Minister’s statement that people neither respect nor fear the law underscores a critical issue: the mere imposition of fines is not enough to ensure road safety.
The Union Minister identified four key factors that can help reduce road accidents: road engineering, automobile engineering, enforcement of law, and public education. However, the increase in road fatalities suggests that these areas require more robust and integrated approaches. The lack of respect for traffic laws, as evidenced by common violations such as not stopping at red signals and not wearing helmets, contributes significantly to the high number of accidents. He also noted that 30,000 people die annually simply because they do not wear helmets.
The data reveals that over 18 crore e-challans were issued nationwide, with Tamil Nadu issuing the most. This indicates that technology is being leveraged to enforce traffic rules. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questionable if they do not translate into behavioural change among road users. The Union Minister’s emphasis on the need for cooperation from public representatives, media, and society highlights the importance of a collective effort in promoting road safety.
A multifaceted approach is necessary to address the paradox of high fine collections and rising fatalities. Enhancing road and automobile engineering can mitigate the risks of poor infrastructure and vehicle safety. Strict enforcement of traffic laws, coupled with substantial penalties, can deter violations. However, these measures must be complemented by extensive public education campaigns to instil a road safety culture.