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.