Nagpur: Traffic Police led by DCP Lohit Matani taken a significant step forward in strengthening road safety and traffic discipline through decisive action in the recent Lok Adalat. A total of 251 drunk-and-driving cases were convicted, with cumulative penalties amounting to ₹34,60,500. In addition, 7 cases of minor driving—a high-risk offence often linked to severe accidents—resulted in penalties totaling ₹78,49,500, sending a strong message of zero tolerance toward juvenile driving violations.
According to national road safety data, drunk driving contributes to more than 8–10% of fatal road accidents in India, while underage driving is consistently identified as a top behavioural risk factor, leading to high-severity crashes. Nagpur’s firm enforcement aligns with best practices recommended by MoRTH and the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety.
Impact of “U-Turn Operation” — 80 Lives Saved
The U-Turn Operation, launched by Nagpur City Police to curb wrong-side driving, unsafe turning, and chaotic junction behaviour, has shown measurable success. By redesigning turning points, increasing patrol visibility, and enforcing lane discipline, the initiative has contributed to a reduction of nearly 80 fatalities this year compared to previous trends.
Transport safety studies indicate that unsafe U-turns and wrong-side driving are responsible for a significant proportion of intersection-related crashes in urban India. Nagpur’s targeted enforcement has therefore directly improved pedestrian safety, reduced head-on collisions, and ensured smoother traffic flow.
Strong Institutional Coordination
The sustained progress is the result of coordinated efforts led by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Nagpur City) and DCP (Traffic), whose focused supervision, daily reviews, and strategic deployment of manpower have strengthened traffic discipline across the city.
Statement by Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, Commissioner of Police, Nagpur City
"Nagpur Police is working with a clear objective—to transform Nagpur into one of the most disciplined traffic cities in India. We are taking strict action against all forms of violations, including drunk driving, minor driving, wrong-side driving, and unsafe turns. Our enforcement is firm, continuous, and uncompromising. We will keep working tirelessly to reduce accidents and ensure the safety of every citizen."
