Saturday, August 30, 2014

Highways mean more accident deaths, finds RTI activist

Times of India: Meerut: Saturday, 30 August 2014.
Data disclosed in response to the Right to Information (RTI) application filed by activist Lokesh Khurana has revealed that a larger number of deaths were reported from accidents in the jurisdiction of police stations that also had highways.
"The maximum number of deaths in accidents were reported from police stations which have highways under their jurisdiction. For instance the maximum 145 deaths occurred at Kankerkhera police station, whereas 138 occurred at Partapur PS," Khurana said.
Although, the police have been active when it comes to traffic policing within city limits, on highways, rules are hardly observed. Vikram Sahani, who lives in Pallav Puram, said, "Ever since the four-lane highway became operational, the number of accidents have increased manifold. In the absence of police patrolling on the highway and non-existence of speed limit norms, it has become a free-spirit drive."
The maximum number of deaths in accidents also occurred due to rash driving, the RTI query found.
Consolidated information provided by Meerut traffic police department showed that the total number of accidental deaths between 2010 and 2014 was 1,437. Besides, under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1,19,025 challans were issued to commuters violating traffic rules and the total sum charged in the form of fines was over Rs1.5 crore.
However, despite the slow moving traffic inside the city, deaths do occur here as well. For instance, during the above mentioned period, 10 deaths occurred in the area under Railway Road Police Station and 15 in Nauchandi Police Station.
"The main reason for deaths inside the city limits is generally reckless driving. Despite repeated warnings, people do not wear helmets and they become vulnerable to fatal injuries during accidents", says SP Traffic, PK Tiwari.
He admits that laws are not so stringent, because of which commuters generally do not care about rules. "Traffic rule offence attract a maximum penalty of Rs100, which should be increased to at least Rs1,000," he says.