After starting crackdown on drug and mining mafias, Himachal Pradesh (HP) police has launched intensive campaign to curb traffic violations and road accidents across the state. Police officials said the main focus of the drive was to curb drunken, rash driving, talking on mobile phone while driving and driving two wheelers without helmet.

“In the two weeks campaign that started on 19 January to 1 February, 10,345 violators were fined for traffic violations,” Khushal Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Law and Order said.
Sharma said in the report of World Health Organisation, around 12 lakh persons are killed in road accidents and major causes behind the fatalities was drunken and rash driving.

The other factors include no use of helmets or seatbelts and the Police department has started campaign to reduce the number of road accidents in the state. “Under the 100 days campaign, police officials would strictly implement the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act and all the Superintendent of Police (SPs) have been directed to initiate action such violators,” he said.

The police officials have so far challaned 161 persons for drunk and over 5000 persons have been challaned for driving two-wheelers without helmet. While 414 persons were challaned for rash and negligent driving, 489 for talking on mobile phone while driving and 3636 persons were fined for driving without seatbelts.

The whopping number traffic violations have now prompted the officials to start awareness campaign on traffic rules and it will continue till 15 February. The Police officials would start the campaign again against traffic violators from 16 February to prevent road accidents.

It is worthwhile to mention here that HP Police constituted Special Task Forces (STF) for all districts on 24 January to take on organised drug syndicates in the state. The police have also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for any info on recovery of huge contraband narcotic substances (8 kg and above) and officials who would make substantial recoveries of drugs would also rewarded for outstanding work.