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‘6 pm to 9 pm danger hours’: Himachal DGP launches zero-tolerance drive to curb road accidents

According to official figures, 389 road accidents out of 1,920 occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm in 2025 in Himachal Pradesh.

3 min readShimlaFeb 5, 2026 05:58 PM IST

DGP Ashok Tewari said the police have adopted a focused and technology-backed strategy to reduce casualties.

Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari on Thursday declared the three-hour period between 6 pm and 9 pm as ‘danger hours’, while launching a state-wide, data-driven campaign to curb rising road accidents across all 15 police districts of the state.

The announcement comes in the wake of a scientific analysis of accident data compiled through the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) system, which has revealed alarming patterns in the timing, nature and causes of road crashes in the hill state.

According to official figures, 389 road accidents out of 1,920 — including fatal and non-fatal cases — occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm in 2025, making it the most accident-prone time band during the day. Overall, road accidents claimed a heavy human toll last year, with 789 people killed and 3,030 injured on Himachal Pradesh roads.

Declaring the evening slot as a critical enforcement window, DGP Tewari said the police have adopted a focused and technology-backed strategy to reduce casualties. “The data collected through eDAR shows a majority of road accidents were reported between 6 pm and 9 pm. We are committed to reducing overall road accidents in the state. Declaring these three specific hours as ‘danger hours’, we have prepared a detailed strategy and a zero-tolerance policy to curb the road accident menace,” the DGP stated.

“Modern technology is the backbone of effective policing. With eDAR, we have adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ policy. We aren’t just recording accidents; we are predicting patterns and identifying black spots to ensure our manpower is where it’s needed most — saving lives before a crash occurs,” said Tewari.

Launching the intensified implementation of the eDAR system, the Himachal Pradesh Police described the initiative as a high-tech offensive to dismantle the crisis of nearly 2,000 annual accidents and hundreds of fatalities that continue to haunt the mountainous terrain.

Gurdev Sharma, DIG (Traffic, Tourist & Railways), said scientific data mapping has helped identify high-risk hours and locations. “Scientific analysis has unmasked the ‘Danger Hour’ between 6 pm and 9 pm. During this evening rush, visibility drops and fatigue rises. We have deployed specialised interceptors and patrolling teams across highways to guard citizens and tourists during these high-risk windows,” he said.

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The figures collected through eDAR also suggest that two-wheelers were the most vulnerable in the view of road accidents (489), followed by the cars/jeeps/vans/taxis (349) in which victims were riding. Regarding the type of vehicles which caused road accidents, the highest was those involving car, jeep, van, or taxi (801), followed by two-wheelers (483).

“The eDAR portal is a bridge between the accident spot and justice. It brings unprecedented transparency, ensuring that digital data translates into immediate insurance and medical relief for victims, cutting through years of manual red tape,” a police officer said.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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