Seatbelt Violations Plummet on Pune–Mumbai Expressway
Pune, 11th August 2025: The number of motorists penalised for not wearing seatbelts on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway has seen a dramatic drop, falling from 7,693 cases in 2021 to just 900 between January and July this year, according to the Highway Safety Police (HSP).
Officials attribute this improved compliance to multiple factors, including increased surveillance through CCTV cameras, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, and heightened public awareness following high-profile accidents. Statutory seatbelt warnings in newly manufactured cars and SUVs have also played a role in encouraging motorists to buckle up.
“Four-wheeler drivers have shown a conscious shift towards wearing seatbelts, especially after the tragic accident that claimed the life of industrialist Cyrus Mistry,” said Vikrant Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, HSP (Pune).
Enforcement and Equipment Updates Deshmukh acknowledged that the HSP’s interceptor vehicle — introduced five years ago to curb speeding and other violations — has been out of service for several months. “This may have also contributed to the lower number of reported cases. We will soon receive two upgraded interceptor vehicles, which will be stationed on either side of the expressway,” he said.
The Pune division of the HSP monitors the stretch from the Kiwale exit to Amrutanjan Point in Khandala. The section from Khandala towards Mumbai falls under the Thane HSP’s jurisdiction.
In recent years, seatbelt violation cases have fluctuated. After 7,693 cases in 2021, the number dropped to 3,572 in 2022, rose to 4,751 in 2023, and then declined again to 2,300 in 2024. The current year’s figures are the lowest yet.
High-Tech Surveillance Boosts Compliance Deshmukh also credited the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation for installing high-speed cameras equipped with night vision capabilities along the expressway.
“These cameras can detect not only speeding vehicles but also drivers who are not wearing seatbelts. Their presence has made motorists more cautious, resulting in better compliance with seatbelt laws,” he added.
