‘Operation U-Turn’ now reaches highways
To strengthen road safety and bring down fatalities, the Highway Safety Police (HSP) have decided to extend the successful ‘Operation U-Turn’ campaign to national and state highways across the Nagpur Range. The expanded drive will target major traffic violations such as drunk driving, overspeeding, riding without helmets and unsafe roadside parking.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Superintendent of Police (HSP) Lohit Matani said drunken driving remains a key contributor to serious and fatal highway accidents. Under the campaign, special enforcement operations will be conducted during late-night and early-morning hours. Joint teams of HSP and district police will set up checkpoints at strategic locations to carry out breath-analyser tests and initiate legal action against motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol.
Data on highway accidents reveals that 971 people were killed in crashes across the Nagpur Range in 2023. Continuous enforcement efforts, rectification of accident-prone stretches and awareness campaigns helped reduce the death toll to 657 in 2025. However, while the number of accidents declined during the first five months of 2026, the number of fatalities remained unchanged at 304.
In a parallel effort to improve road safety, the police have established an Accident Analysis Cell on the lines of a similar initiative by the Nagpur City Police. The cell will examine accident trends, identify black spots and suggest immediate remedial measures to prevent recurring mishaps. “Driving after consuming alcohol is not only illegal, but also puts the lives of innocent people at risk. We will carry out intensive checking drives on highways and take strict action against violators,” said SP Matani.
Emphasising public participation in road safety, he added, “Road safety is a shared responsibility. By following traffic rules, avoiding drunk driving, wearing helmets and seatbelts, and maintaining speed limits, many precious lives can be saved.” Officials said the campaign will be implemented in coordination with district police units, traffic branches, the RTO and road development agencies to ensure safer travel for highway users across the region.
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