Delhi residents hop, skip & jump signals as mercury soars

Does poor monsoon have any connection with traffic violation? Delhi Traffic Police thinks so.

A half-yearly report compiled by the traffic police revealed that cases of speeding, rash and drunken driving skyrocketed since last year. The police blamed the scorching Delhi heat for the increasing violations.

“Violations such as speeding and rash driving are at their worst. This is primarily because drivers are frustrated with the heat,” a senior traffic police official said.

A comparative study revealed that till July 15, 2008, the number of cases of signal jumping was 22,8,356, whereas this year it was more than 30,7,307. Speeding has gone up by 16% in comparison to last year. More than 96,294 cases of speeding were registered this year in comparison to last year’s 83,274 violations. Cases of underage driving have also gone up from 2346 to 2692.

Cases of rash driving have increased with almost 10,4,608 cases reported this year in comparison to only 50,213 incidents last year.

“Most people drive rashly when they are angry or frustrated. Delhi is sizzling this year and the problem has been compounded by water and electricity shortages," Ram Kishan, a traffic policeman, said.

The brunt of soaring temperatures is borne by two-wheeler drivers. The police have registered 19,562 cases this year in comparison to last year’s 1,684. “I drive a pulsar bike and the heat is unbearable, which is why I violate signals and drive rashly to reach my destination,” Sagar Parab, a biker, said.

Drunken driving is up by 53% with 5,201 cases registered this year in comparison to 3,402 in 2008.

Again, as many as 15,8,3747 challans were handed out this year in comparison to 10,34,008 challans last year.