Chennai traffic police report rise in vehicles without number plates

Vehicles without proper registration plates are increasingly being seen on Chennai roads, raising concerns about traffic enforcement and the ability to identify vehicles involved in offences. The vehicles include two-wheelers, cars and autos. Some reportedly carry political party names or symbols instead of registration plates.

Residents said riders on such vehicles often also drive on the wrong side of the road or enter one-way streets against traffic. Commuters in areas including Vandalur Road, T. Nagar, Nungambakkam, Anna Nagar and Mogappair told The Hindu that vehicle checks were not frequent enough.

One commuter, Sudarshan, said regular checks were needed throughout the day and night because vehicles without registration numbers could be difficult to trace if used in a crime. A traffic police officer in T. Nagar said officers regularly checked vehicles and fined motorists who lacked proper registration numbers.

The officer said motorists commonly claimed that their vehicles were new or were being taken to have number plates fixed. Another officer said some motorists evaded checks during busy periods and late evenings. The officer suggested deploying more personnel at important locations.

A senior City Traffic Police official said complaints received through social media about speeding, stunts, unauthorised parking and driving without number plates were being acted upon. The official said surprise checks at major junctions in response to wrong-side driving complaints resulted in nearly two lakh violators being penalised during the first week of September. The source material did not provide a comparison with earlier periods or a separate figure for number-plate violations.

Police said enforcement action covered a range of traffic offences, including those reported by residents through social media.