Patna: In a major push to improve road safety, the Bihar Transport Department has taken strict action against traffic rule violators, suspending 4,488 driving licences and cancelling 497 licences across the state. The action was taken based on recommendations from the police, traffic police and district transport authorities.
Transport Secretary Raj Kumar said that drivers whose licences have been suspended will face immediate cancellation if they are found violating traffic rules again. In such cases, the driver will be required to apply afresh for a driving licence and mandatorily clear the driving test before being allowed to drive again.
He clarified that the enforcement drive is not a one-time exercise but will continue as a regular practice. Offences such as overspeeding, rash and negligent driving, overloading, jumping traffic signals and repeated violations of traffic rules are being treated seriously. Licences are being suspended or cancelled in such cases, he said.
The Transport Secretary added that habitual offenders are under special surveillance and may face even stricter action, including permanent cancellation of their driving licences. The department has appealed to motorists to strictly follow traffic rules to ensure their own safety as well as that of other road users.
According to official data, on the recommendation of police and traffic police, 2,983 driving licences were suspended and 393 were cancelled across various districts. In addition, district transport officers, including those in Patna and other districts, took suo motu action, suspending 1,065 licences and cancelling 104 licences.
Officials said the highest number of actions were taken for repeated traffic violations, overspeeding, red light jumping, rash driving, overloading, riding without helmets or seat belts, and wrong-side driving.
To strengthen monitoring, the department is using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras to identify traffic violators. Joint teams of the police and transport department are also conducting intensive vehicle checking drives across Bihar.
The transport department said the strict enforcement is expected to improve compliance with traffic rules and help reduce road accidents, sending a clear message that violations will no longer be tolerated.
