Chandigarh, Aug. 11 -- The vigilant eye of Chandigarh's Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) has not only kept reckless driving in check but has also led to a steep drop in the suspension of driving licences. In 2024, only 302 licences were suspended in the city - less than half of the 689 suspensions recorded in 2023. According to data from the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), riding without a helmet was the most common cause of suspension (196 cases), followed by drunk driving (55), speeding (20) and mobile phone use while driving (9). In comparison, 2023 recorded 457 suspensions for helmetless riding, 74 for drunk driving, 107 for speeding and 18 for using mobile phones while driving. The downward trend marks a sharp contrast to earlier years. In 2022, 1,139 licences were suspended, including 689 for helmetless riding, 286 for speeding, 62 for mobile phone use, 22 for drunk driving and 28 for jumping the red light. The figures were even higher in 2021, with 4,057 suspensions - 2,587 for helmetless or triple riding, 858 for speeding, 343 for mobile phone use, 147 for jumping red lights and six for drunk driving. Senior superintendent of police (SSP, Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh attributed the fall to the ITMS cameras monitoring various traffic junctions, which automatically capture violations like signal jumping, speeding and helmetless riding. Under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, driving licencescan be suspended for up to six months for offences such as drunk driving, speeding, jumping the red light and using a mobile phone while driving. For riding without a helmet, licences are suspended for three months, along with a fine....