Jaipur Traffic Police Launch Crackdown on Repeat Driving Offenders
In a significant move to enhance road safety, the Jaipur traffic police have initiated the creation of a comprehensive list targeting repeat offenders involved in drunk driving and underage driving violations. This initiative marks the first time such a consolidated database is being developed in the city, aiming to strengthen the enforcement of existing traffic regulations.
Strict Enforcement of Motor Vehicles Act Provisions
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Sumeet Meharda, emphasized that under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, motorists booked for drunk driving more than once within a three-year period will face permanent cancellation of their driving licences. Additionally, Section 199A of the act mandates action against vehicle owners and guardians accountable for minors caught driving, prohibiting the issuance of a licence to the offending minor until they reach the age of 25.
"We have started preparing a consolidated list of offenders booked for underage driving and repeat offenders booked for drinking and driving," Meharda stated. "We have already forwarded a list of 1,168 repeat offenders booked under Section 185 of the MV Act to the concerned Regional Transport Offices, and their licences will be cancelled permanently."
Addressing Past Enforcement Gaps
This new initiative comes in response to previous shortcomings in enforcement. A report from December 13, 2025, highlighted that due to lack of coordination between police and traffic departments, crackdowns on underage and drunk driving often fell short of the respective sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
An official explained that there were several instances where repeat offenders booked under Section 185 still drove with valid licences because they managed to avoid consequences by merely paying fines. Similarly, in cases of underage driving, minors would pay fines when caught and then obtain valid licences from RTOs soon after turning 18, circumventing the intended penalties.
Case Study Highlights Systemic Failures
Citing a specific case, the official described an accident involving a minor that resulted in two fatalities. "The court slammed the police for not complying with provisions under Section 199A," the official noted. "When we started an inquiry, we discovered the accused had already turned 18 and even obtained a driving licence by then." This incident underscored the urgent need for better coordination and stricter enforcement mechanisms.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The primary goals of this initiative include:
- Creating a centralized database of repeat drunk driving offenders to ensure permanent licence cancellations are implemented without delay.
- Tracking underage driving violations to prevent minors from obtaining licences before the age of 25 as per legal mandates.
- Improving coordination between traffic police and RTOs to close loopholes that allowed offenders to evade serious consequences.
- Enhancing overall road safety in Jaipur by deterring dangerous driving behaviors through stricter penalties.
By compiling these lists, authorities aim to ensure that repeat offenders face the full force of the law, thereby reducing incidents of drunk and underage driving in the city. This proactive approach is expected to set a precedent for other urban areas grappling with similar traffic safety challenges.
