Why 4-wheelers bear brunt of police action in Delhi

NEW DELHI: There are approximately 20 lakh cars and 52 lakh two-wheelers in the city, yet the number of cars prosecuted for road rule violations is much higher than two wheelers. Last year, around 2.3 lakh four wheelers were booked compared with just 1.8 lakh two wheelers.
According to the Economic Survey of Delhi 2022-2023, there are 20,76,113 cars and four-wheeled vehicles in Delhi. In comparison, there are 52,68,685 motorcycles and scooters.
Delhi Traffic Police data shows that 26.6% more four wheelers were challaned last year than two wheelers. Similarly in 2021, 2,50,929 four wheelers were prosecuted against 1,57,271 two wheelers. The traffic violations for which the two wheelers and four wheelers were booked were red light jumping, wrong side driving, using mobile phone while driving/ riding, dangerous driving, driving without a pollution certificate and smoking while driving/riding. Last year, 18,192 two wheelers were fined for jumping the traffic lights and in contrast more than double that number of four-wheelers were pulled up for the same violation.
Dr Sewa Ram, professor and head of transport planning at the School of Planning and Architecture, said, "While two wheelers are more vulnerable on the road, they also create risky situation for others. Due to fast acceleration, smaller roadspace requirement and high manoeuvrability, two-wheeler riders randomly change lanes, overtake from the wrong side and violate all basic rules of driving. In fact it is important to teach them lessons on safe driving when prosecuting them."
The professor said that due to consideration of economic conditions or apathy of traffic policemen, prosecution is often relaxed for two wheelers. "Don't forget that a conflict of any vehicle with two wheelers has more chances of fatalities. The way drivers of four wheelers have been forced to comply with seat belt rules, two wheeler owners must also be sent a strong message through media and police that they should drive safe and let others be safe too," said Sewa Ram.
Balraj Bhanot, chairman, Technical Standing Committee (central motor vehicles rules), Union ministry of roads transport and highways, observed that the numberplates of two wheelers were difficult to capture on cameras. "Also, two wheeler owners come from lower economic strata so the cops are lenient to them," said Bhanot. "Enforcement is poor even in areas with a big population of bikes and scooters. The helmet law is yet to be enforced strictly across the country too."