UP steps up road safety with digital drives, 'no-helmet, no fuel' campaign

The UP-government’s transport department is set to further strengthen digital monitoring and awareness initiatives in the year 2026, beginning with the National Road Safety Month starting from 01 January. Earlier, the department ran a-year-long road safety and traffic awareness campaigns in 2025. The campaign ended on a positive note with a significant reduction in traffic rule violations.

“Compared to the previous year, nearly four lakh fewer challans were issued in 2025, reflecting increased public awareness towards road safety and traffic discipline. While 17,58,930 challans were recorded in 2024, the number declined to 13,78,919 in 2025. Based on these cases, an amount of approximately ₹454.49 crore was collected. Continuing this momentum,” according to a press release, issued by the UP’s Information department,

In its efforts to reduce the road accidents, strict enforcement of traffic rules and regular awareness drives were undertaken across the state, resulting in comparatively fewer violations. Quoting data presented by officials during a review meeting, the release mentioned that the highest number of challans in 2025—6,32,901—were issued for not wearing helmets.


Besides, 14,535 driving licenses were suspended, while 1,33,189 challans were issued for seatbelt violations. “A notable decline was observed in over-speeding cases, which reduced from 7,77,897 in the previous year to 3,30,171 in 2025,” the release further said. During the same period, 3,611 cases of drink and drive were registered, and 56,079 challans were issued for wrong-side driving, the release said.

Enforcement action against commercial vehicles also continued throughout the year, with 54,923 cases of overloading recorded. “Apart from this, 11,892 challans were issued for incorrect number plates, 1,226 for carrying passengers in goods vehicles, and 20,431 cases were registered for non-installation of speed limit devices in commercial vehicles. Special checking drives resulted in 36,773 cases against unregistered e-rickshaws in April and 1,786 cases against inter-district overloaded goods vehicles,” the release mentioned.

In May, 2,218 challans were issued against unauthorized passenger vehicles, while in June, 1,821 cases were registered for commercial use of private vehicles. In September, 6,832 challans were issued against violator vehicles from other states, and in October, 5,073 challans were issued against dumpers and trucks without number plates.

In 2026, the transport department is under a plan to further intensify digital surveillance and awareness campaigns to reduce road accidents and ensure strict compliance with traffic rules. As part of the National Road Safety Month beginning on 01 January, the department, in coordination with the Police, Public Works Department, Health and Medical Department, and Information Department, is conducting a state-wide road safety awareness programmes, besides the intensive checking drives.

To enhance awareness among two-wheeler riders, the “No-helmet, no fuel campaign” is being implemented throughout the month. Special vigilance is being maintained at identified black spots and high-risk zones, while road safety messages are being widely disseminated with the support of the information department, besides awareness programmes in schools and colleges.