Vadodara Police Detain 59 Vehicles in Passenger Transport Crackdown

Synopsis

On February 10, 2025, Vadodara traffic police detained 59 private vehicles for illegally ferrying passengers. This operation, part of National Road Safety Month, aims to enhance road safety and enforce the Motor Vehicles Act amidst rising accident statistics in Gujarat.

Key Takeaways

59 vehicles detained for illegal transport.
Operation part of National Road Safety Month - 2025.
Daily average of 43 accidents and 21 deaths in Gujarat.
Major hotspots targeted included Amit Nagar Circle and Dumad Bridge.
Legal action initiated against one driver.

Vadodara, Feb 10 (NationPress) The traffic division of Vadodara City Police has detained 59 private vehicles in a significant operation aimed at curbing illegal passenger transport. This action, taken to protect lives and uphold the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, was confirmed by an official on Monday.

According to the office of the Assistant Police Commissioner, the operation unfolded over the last 24 hours as part of National Road Safety Month - 2025, specifically targeting vehicles engaged in unauthorized passenger transport for profit.

Many of the apprehended drivers were found to be providing illegal transport services between Vadodara and Ahmedabad and Bharuch, as noted by the official.

Gujarat experiences an average of 43 accidents and 21 fatalities daily, as per official statistics. Factors such as reckless driving, inadequate road infrastructure, and disregard for traffic regulations contribute to the escalating number of road mishaps in the state.

During the enforcement operation in Vadodara, traffic police deployed teams at critical hotspots, including Amit Nagar Circle, Dumad Bridge, and Golden Bridge, resulting in the detention of 53 vehicles, including popular models like Eco and Ertiga, along with six additional vehicles.

Besides seizing the vehicles, authorities have also initiated legal action against one driver under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act.

In 2018, Gujarat recorded 18,769 accidents, leading to 7,996 deaths. Although the numbers saw a slight decrease in 2019, with 17,046 accidents and 7,390 fatalities, there was a notable decline in 2020, likely influenced by the COVID-19 lockdown, with 13,398 accidents and 6,170 deaths. However, the figures rose again in 2021, with 15,186 accidents and 7,452 fatalities, followed by an uptick in 2022, where 15,751 accidents resulted in 7,618 deaths.

One primary cause of fatalities in road accidents throughout the state is over-speeding, which was responsible for 7,236 deaths in 2022, according to official data.

Moreover, hit-and-run incidents have reached alarming levels, with 2,209 cases resulting in 1,429 deaths that same year.

Despite the authorities' efforts to mitigate such tragedies through awareness initiatives and stricter traffic law enforcement, fatal accidents persist across the state.