Mumbai Cracks Down Hard on Wrong-Side Driving: 253 Licences Suspended, 290 FIRs Filed in Just 21 Days
Mumbai : Mumbai Traffic Police has stepped up its action against motorists who drive on the wrong side of the road, treating the offence as a major threat to public safety. In just 21 days, authorities have suspended the driving licences of 253 offenders and registered 290 FIRs, signalling a stricter enforcement approach against dangerous traffic violations.
The intensified crackdown comes after a serious wrong-side driving incident in Andheri on July 15, in which eight-year-old Reva Pawar was seriously injured. Following the incident, the traffic department increased surveillance and enforcement across the city and adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards motorists whose reckless decisions could put other road users at risk.
Over 18,000 Wrong-Side Driving Violations Recorded in 2026
According to Mumbai Traffic Police data, 18,671 motorists were booked for wrong-side driving during the first seven months of 2026. Two-wheeler riders made up the overwhelming majority of offenders, with 15,438 riders, accounting for more than 83 per cent of all cases.
Police officials say many motorists deliberately enter roads from the wrong direction to avoid traffic signals, long U-turns or congestion. While such shortcuts may save a few minutes, they can create dangerous situations, particularly when vehicles approach each other from opposite directions at speed.
The enforcement numbers have also risen compared with previous years. In 2024, around 12,814 motorists were booked, while the figure stood at 11,761 in 2025. With more than 18,000 cases already recorded in the first seven months of 2026, the current year is showing a significant increase in enforcement.
Police Moving Beyond Fines
Mumbai Traffic Police is no longer relying only on e-challans and monetary penalties. Under the latest drive, authorities are taking stronger legal action against serious offenders.
On average, around 13 driving licences are being suspended and 14 FIRs registered every day as part of the special enforcement campaign. Police are also seizing vehicles and registering cases under applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Officials say the aim is not simply to punish motorists but to discourage behaviour that can lead to fatal accidents. Wrong-side driving can result in sudden head-on collisions, leaving very little time for other drivers or pedestrians to react.
Suburban Areas Among Major Hotspots
Traffic officials have identified several suburban stretches as particularly vulnerable to wrong-side driving. These areas often have busy service roads, heavy traffic movement and relatively high vehicle speeds.
To strengthen enforcement, special traffic teams are operating across all 41 traffic divisions in Mumbai, with personnel deployed from morning until late at night. Authorities are reportedly detecting and penalising around 700 to 800 wrong-side driving violations every day.
CCTV cameras and e-challan systems are also being used alongside ground-level enforcement teams to identify repeat offenders and monitor accident-prone locations.
Police Warn Motorists Against Taking Dangerous Shortcuts
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyanarayan Chaudhary said the department has begun taking multiple forms of action, including FIRs, vehicle seizures and driving licence suspensions.
He stressed that driving against the flow of traffic is not a minor violation and can have serious consequences for innocent road users. The police have appealed to motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, to follow designated routes and avoid taking shortcuts that could endanger themselves or others.
The latest crackdown reflects Mumbai Traffic Police’s attempt to make road safety a greater priority. With thousands of violations being recorded and hundreds of licences suspended or criminal cases filed, authorities are sending a clear message: saving a few minutes by driving on the wrong side is not worth risking someone’s life.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
