475 driving licences suspended in June, Rs 27 lakhs fine collected
Pioneer News Service
Jamshedpur
The East Singhbhum district administration has intensified its crackdown on traffic violations, suspending 475 driving licences and collecting fines amounting to ₹27.25 lakh during June as part of its efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
The figures were shared during a traffic and road safety review meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan at the Collectorate Auditorium. The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Ehtesham Waquarib, Rural SP Shubham Khandelwal, SDM Dhalbhum Arnav Mishra, District Transport Officer Dilip Kumar, senior police officials, representatives of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Road Construction Department (RCD), and members of the Transport Association.
Reviewing the road safety situation, the Deputy Commissioner noted that wrong-side driving, failure to wear helmets and seat belts, drunken driving and over-speeding continue to be the leading causes of road accidents despite regular enforcement drives. He directed all concerned departments to adopt stricter measures to curb violations and enhance public safety.
Representatives of the NHAI were instructed to install speed guns and repair non-functional streetlights along national highways within the next month. The DSP (Traffic) was directed to continue enforcement drives against illegal highway parking and ensure strict collection of penalties. Special drives against drunk driving, particularly in rural areas on weekly market days, were also ordered.
The Road Construction Department was instructed to install a convex traffic mirror and warning signage near the Salgajhudi Hanuman Temple to improve visibility for motorists. Officials were also asked to install road signs and undertake repair work on the stretch connecting Dimna Chowk to Dimna Lake.
The meeting reviewed 24 road accidents reported across the district in June, which claimed 11 lives and left 15 people injured. Expressing concern over the fatalities, the Deputy Commissioner directed officials to suspend the licences of drivers found guilty of negligent driving in addition to imposing financial penalties. He also ordered strict action against overloading in passenger vehicles, goods carriers and school vans.
Emphasising the need for preventive measures, Rajiv Ranjan instructed officials to launch awareness campaigns on traffic rules in schools and colleges to encourage responsible road behaviour among young motorists.
The review also highlighted the district’s transport-related achievements during June. Besides suspending 475 driving licences, authorities issued 3,530 learner’s licences and 1,521 permanent driving licences. Enforcement agencies collected fines totalling ₹27,25,150 from violators during the month.
