Smooth and safe Merry Mass: Police witness a ‘Steep drop’ in Christmas violations
Telegraph | 27 December 2025
Police prosecution figures for Christmas and Christmas Eve suggest the city experienced a less unruly festival this year.
The jury is out on whether this was due to better road discipline or a lighter hand by the police.
According to Kolkata Police, traffic violations dropped sharply compared to last year.
“If we compare the figures with last year, it shows that people were far more disciplined on the road this Christmas,” said a senior traffic officer.
Several officers attributed the improvement to better driving habits among motorists. “We found that many people who went to nightclubs and pubs hired chauffeurs instead of driving themselves. Motorcyclists were also more disciplined regarding helmet use and speed limits,” said an officer posted in south Calcutta.
A section of the police credited the change to ongoing awareness campaigns and traffic enforcement drives throughout the year.
“These figures indicate that our repeated campaigns and drives have effectively reinforced the message of traffic safety,” an officer said.
However, not everyone on the roads shared this optimistic view. Some motorists reported encountering “unruly two-wheeler riders.”
A Garia resident said: “I spotted speed bikers on EM Bypass on Christmas night. They were not wearing helmets and sped towards the southern fringes of the city.”
Police officers said they will continue special enforcement drives during the festive season to maintain road