In a bid to reduce road accidents, the Odisha government has designated Sundays and Wednesdays as ‘Zero Tolerance Days’ for strict traffic rule enforcement. The decision was made during the State Road Safety Council meeting, chaired by Commerce & Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena.
On these days, there will be no leniency for traffic violators, with intensified vehicle checks and penalty collections. The government will take stringent action against offenses like over-speeding, drunk driving, and riding without helmets.
Minister Jena stressed the need for safe driving practices, aiming to reduce the state’s alarming accident rates.
Between July 2024 and January 2025, the state recorded 3,717 deaths from 6,327 road accidents, with speeding and negligent driving as major causes. Odisha reports an average of 16 road fatalities daily, with a severity rate of 47%, surpassing the national average of 37%.
