UP to Introduce Fixed Work Hours for Drivers, Breath Tests at Tolls

In an effort to reduce fatal road accidents by nearly 50%, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning several new safety measures, including limiting drivers' working hours to combat fatigue and introducing breathalyzer tests at toll plazas to prevent drunk driving.
Speaking at a public event at Indira Gandhi Kala Kendra in Noida’s Sector 6, Transport Commissioner B.N. Singh highlighted the importance of public cooperation in reducing traffic fatalities. He shared that the government is actively working on stricter road safety policies, following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent road safety meeting in Gorakhpur.

Helmets for Pillion Riders & Public Awareness Campaigns
One of the significant initiatives is the "No Helmet, No Petrol" campaign, making helmet use mandatory for both riders and pillion passengers. Educational institutions, including Gorakhpur University, have already banned helmetless riders from entering campuses. Singh urged universities across the state to adopt similar measures.
He also pointed out a concerning trend where many two-wheeler riders refuse to wear helmets, even when petrol pump workers insist on it. To tackle this, the government plans to launch awareness drives on social media and urge people to report road safety violations.

Road Accidents in Noida – A Growing Concern
According to government reports, Noida recorded 1,165 accidents in 2024 alone, resulting in 462 deaths and 966 injuries. This highlights a rising trend in road crashes across the state.
With over 10 lakh vehicles in Noida alone, managing road safety has become a major challenge. Singh emphasized that stricter enforcement of traffic rules is necessary, as the public tends to follow rules only when strict penalties are in place.

Comprehensive Road Safety Measures
In addition to breathalyzer tests and regulated working hours for commercial drivers, the government is also planning:
•    Smart cards for vehicle registration to replace the paper-based system, making access to vehicle records more efficient through the Vahan portal.
•    Recognition for safe drivers who have maintained a clean record for the last decade.
•    Stronger penalties for top violations such as not wearing helmets, parking violations, red light jumping, and wrong-side driving.
With India accounting for 11% of global road accident deaths, despite having only 1% of the world's vehicles, Singh stressed the urgency of adopting global best practices in road safety.