Delhi NCR Emerges as Hotspot for Traffic Enforcement Bribes, Survey Finds

A new survey by Park+ Research Labs has revealed that 64% of Delhi-NCR car drivers admit to paying bribes to evade traffic violation fines, raising serious questions about enforcement integrity in the region.

The digital-first survey, which sampled 600 car owners, found that 42.6% of offenders justified their actions by citing concerns about lengthy legal procedures, while 20% acknowledged paying bribes primarily out of fear. The most common violations leading to these transactions were jumping red lights (30.84%) and not wearing seatbelts (19.16%).

This troubling pattern emerges against the backdrop of Delhi NCR's complex traffic management challenges. The region hosts over 3 million vehicles, contributing to severe congestion and frequent disputes. Delhi Police reportedly receive more than 200 daily calls related to vehicle-related conflicts, including parking disputes and collisions.

Despite enforcement efforts—including over 4,500 challans issued on New Year's Eve 2025 and approximately ₹164 crore in fines for expired or missing PUC certificates during October-November 2024—the bribery statistics suggest significant gaps in the enforcement system.

The survey additionally highlights broader infrastructure deficiencies, noting that the overall car ownership experience in Delhi NCR suffers from inadequate facilities, inconsistent policing practices, and poor driving etiquette among motorists.

The traffic management system in Delhi NCR, one of India's largest metropolitan regions, faces significant challenges. With over 3 million vehicles on its roads, the region grapples with severe congestion, frequent traffic violations, and a high volume of vehicle-related disputes. Despite various enforcement efforts, such as issuing traffic fines and challans, there are still substantial gaps in the system that lead to issues like bribery and inadequate infrastructure.