Licences of Only 10% Fined Drunk Drivers Suspended in UT Since '23

Data reveals a wide gap between number of challans issued and actual deterrent action available under the law

- Naina Mishra

CHANDIGARH: Despite the growing menace of drunken driving, only 10.8% of the total violators were recommended for driving licence (DL) suspension by the court in year 2023, 2024 and up to March 13 in 2025, reveals data shared by Chandigarh Traffic Police.

The data reveals a significant gap between the number of challans issued and actual deterrent action taken through licence suspensions — a prerogative of the court under prevailing traffic laws.

The figures, compiled for the years 2023, 2024, and up to March 13, 2025, show 7,941 challans were issued for drunk driving, out of which 4,898 challans were disposed of and only 534 cases were recommended for DL suspension. Traffic officials believe this figure is alarmingly low, undermining the deterrence value of the legal provision.