Wrong-Side Driving Crackdown: Mumbai Traffic Police Suspends 253 Licences, Registers 290 FIRs In 21 Days

Mumbai's traffic police have launched a crackdown on motorists driving the wrong way on the road, warning such dangerous behavior poses a serious threat to public safety. In the last 21 days, the authorities have suspended the licenses of 253 offenders and registered 290 FIRs for wrong-side driving.

The intensified campaign came after a deadly incident on July 15 in Andheri, where an 8-year-old girl, Reva Pawar, was seriously injured in a collision caused by a wrong-side driver. In response, the police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards motorists whose reckless driving endangers others on the road.

According to the latest data, Mumbai Traffic Police took action against 18,671 motorists for wrong-side driving during the first seven months of 2026. Two-wheelers were responsible for the majority, accounting for 83% of the total offenders, with 15,438 riders cited.

Traffic officials said many riders enter roads from the wrong direction to bypass signals, long U-turns, or traffic congestion, increasing the risk of head-on collisions. Actions taken against wrong-side drivers have surged compared to previous years. In 2024, 12,814 offenders were dealt with, while 11,761 were booked in 2025. This year, the enforcement figures have reached record levels.

Under the special drive, 13 driving licenses are suspended and 14 criminal cases are registered daily against wrong-side drivers. Police are registering cases under strict provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) where applicable and seizing the vehicles of offenders. The high-traffic suburbs have become major hotspots due to increased traffic speeds and extensive service road networks, making accidents more likely.