Drunk Driving drops, Helmetless riding tops Hyderabad traffic violations
Hyderabad: Hyderabad shows a shift in driving behavior as stricter enforcement measures lead to a drop in the percentage of drunk driving offenders.The annual review meeting chaired by Commissioner C.V. Anand provided a detailed analysis of traffic trends in 2024.
According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, the percentage of drivers caught for drunk driving in Hyderabad has declined, despite increased testing efforts. In 2023, out of 3.4 lakh drivers tested, around 44,000 were found drunk and booked. In 2024, testing expanded to 8.4 lakh drivers, with around 57,000 caught drunk driving. While the total number of cases increased, the percentage dropped from 12% in 2023 to 6% in 2024, indicating improved compliance among drivers.
Hyderabad Additional Traffic Police Commissioner P Viswa Prasad revealed that drunk driving cases rose to 57,000 in 2024, up by 13,000 from 44,000 the previous year. Prasad said that during our analysis, we found that two-wheelers account for 85% of violations, followed by cars at 10% and auto-rickshaws at 5%.
Road safety improved, with fatalities dropping from 335 in 2023 to 227 in 2024. However, helmetless riding continues to plague the city with over 22 lakh cases in 2024, while signal jumping remains one of the most frequent violation.
The traffic police are revamping their enforcement strategy. “Each police station has identified five locations for checks, and we’re varying the timing to reduce predictability,” said Prasad. He noted that the High Court has suggested conducting checks near pubs, bars, and restaurants where alcohol is consumed.
However, enforcement challenges remain. “Limited road width and the risk of traffic jams often restrict our check locations,” C V Anand explained. “Regular checking spots become predictable, reducing their effectiveness. We should maintain the surprise element in our operations,” reiterated C V Anand.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand revealed these statistics during the annual review meeting, highlighting trends in traffic enforcement and road safety.
