The Gujarat High Court has sharply questioned the state government and police over weak enforcement of helmet rules, mobile-phone use while driving and safety violations involving dumpers during a suo motu hearing on Ahmedabad’s worsening traffic conditions.
An acting Chief Justice-led bench raised the issues while considering traffic congestion near Panjrapole crossroads, including the impact of a flyover bridge and the continuing pressure on the road network. The court sought explanations from the government and police administration over the implementation of traffic and road-safety rules.
The bench questioned why helmet rules were not being enforced more strictly in Gujarat, particularly for two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers. According to the report, the court observed that many people in the state continue to ride without helmets, while in other states helmets are required for both the rider and the person sitting behind them.
The court also referred to fatal collisions involving dumpers and two-wheelers. It said riders without helmets were more vulnerable in such crashes and raised concern that some dumpers operating on roads did not display number plates. The observations place enforcement of heavy-vehicle identification alongside helmet compliance as a road-safety issue.
The bench further criticised the use of mobile phones while driving. It said people could often be seen talking on phones while operating vehicles and alleged that enforcement action was not being taken consistently. The court also referred to more dangerous forms of distracted driving, including video calls and watching films on mobile phones placed on car dashboards.
The court directed that such practices be stopped immediately, according to the report. Its comments highlight a gap between the existence of traffic rules and their visible enforcement on urban roads, where two-wheelers, cars, heavy vehicles and pedestrians share limited road space.
During the hearing, the Gujarat government submitted an affidavit outlining measures proposed for traffic management. The government told the court that 650 traffic personnel had been recruited to improve traffic operations in cities. It also said Traffic Brigade personnel would receive specialised training for 30 days before being deployed for traffic-control duties.
The staffing plan is the state’s stated response to the court’s concerns about traffic regulation and enforcement capacity. The hearing, however, also brought attention to the wider range of behaviours and vehicle-level violations affecting road safety, from helmet non-compliance and mobile use to the absence of number plates on dumpers.
The court’s intervention followed concerns over congestion and road safety in Ahmedabad, but the issues raised during the hearing apply to urban traffic enforcement across Gujarat. The next steps presented to the court are the deployment of the recruited personnel after their 30-day training and the implementation of measures to curb dangerous driving practices.
