Gurugram, May 19, 2025: In a country where driving is often treated as a right rather than a responsibility, a new report by CARS24 has revealed just how deep-rooted traffic indiscipline has become. The company’s first-ever Challan Report presents a stark view of India’s road reality: ₹12,000 crore worth of traffic fines were issued in 2024 alone, of which a staggering ₹9,000 crore remain unpaid.
The report goes beyond numbers to expose a cultural norm where traffic violations are not anomalies but routine. Over 8 crore challans were issued in the last year, nearly one for every second vehicle on the road. Despite strict regulations, enforcement lags behind, and non-compliance continues to thrive. The data points to a system where penalties exist on paper, but deterrence remains weak. ₹12,000 crore in fines isn’t just a financial figure, it’s a mirror reflecting how often and easily traffic laws are broken across the country.
From overloaded trucks to helmetless riders, the report highlights extreme cases that underline a growing disregard for rules. A truck owner in Haryana was fined ₹2,00,500 for overloading by 18 tonnes. A two-wheeler rider in Bengaluru accumulated ₹2.91 lakh in fines across 475 separate violations. In Gurugram, authorities collected ₹10 lakh per day through traffic fines, issuing over 4,500 challans daily. Noida issued challans of INR 3 lakhs in a single month for helmet violations alone, signalling to the fact that even the most basic safety norms are ignored en masse.
“Every traffic violation is a silent vote against civic order. If we want safer cities, we need a cultural shift from compliance out of fear to responsibility out of pride.” commented Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder, CARS24
The violations themselves point to a worrying pattern. Overspeeding accounted for nearly 50% all challans issued. Close behind were violations for not wearing helmets or seatbelts, obstructive parking, and signal jumping, offences that not only flout the law but place countless lives at risk. Yet despite these alarming trends, consequences often fail to follow. A whopping 75% of fines remain unpaid, revealing a gaping hole in enforcement and public accountability.
But ignoring a challan is no longer risk-free. As the report highlights, non-payment can lead to suspension of driving licenses and registration certificates, hikes in insurance premiums, and even court summons for repeat defaulters. Despite this, compliance rates remain worryingly low. The issue is no longer about a lack of rules, it’s about a lack of urgency in following them.
Interestingly, the data also disproves the myth that one segment of road users is more compliant than the other. 55% of challans were issued to four-wheelers, while the remaining 45% came from two-wheelers. This near-equal split underscores one uncomfortable truth: nobody is innocent, and violations cut across vehicle types, cities, and income groups.
CARS24’s Challan Report calls for urgent reform in both policy and public perception. The company advocates for stricter enforcement mechanisms, greater use of technology like AI-enabled surveillance and automated challan systems, and stronger public awareness about the consequences of non-compliance. But beyond systems and surveillance, what India truly needs is a shift in mindset. Driving safely should not be a reaction to penalties; it should be a reflection of responsibility.
India’s roads don’t need more challans. They need more discipline. Until we collectively internalise that, the violations and the dangers will only grow.
