Bhubaneswar, May 12 -- In a major move aimed at reducing road accidents and tightening enforcement of traffic rules, the State Transport Department has directed Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Odisha to intensify vehicle checking and take strict action against traffic violators, official sources said on Tuesday.

However, the Department's decision to fix monthly e-challan collection targets for the RTO officials has triggered criticism from motorists and road safety activists.

Under the new directive, strict enforcement will be carried out against violations such as over-speeding, riding without helmets, driving without seat belts, using mobile phones while driving, drunken driving, rash driving, overloading of vehicles, and tra...