Nagpur: 91 days (January-March). 312 road accidents. 103 dead. The deadly tale of Nagpur roads throws light on fatal figures.
This report delves into the alarming statistics, highlighting the primary causes, vehicles involved, road management issues, and enforcement measures undertaken by authorities.
Data compiled by Nagpur Traffic Police highlights critical issues of road safety and the urgent need for better enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such unfortunate events.
A significant cause of the 312 accidents was attributed to dangerous driving, accounting for 77 incidents. Additionally, 11 accidents were linked to individuals driving under the influence of alcohol. Of the total fatalities, 91 were men, underlining the disproportionate impact on male victims.
An analysis of 312 road accidents registered in Nagpur shows that four-wheelers were involved in 131 cases followed by two-wheelers (80) and trucks (41). Due to rash driving, auto-rickshaws caused 15 accidents. The hit and run scenario is disturbing, with 18 accidents attributed to unidentified vehicles.
A staggering 73.39% of accidents occurred on roads managed by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), resulting in 60 fatalities. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) roads witnessed 73 accidents, claiming 39 lives, while State Highways recorded 10 accidents and four fatalities.
Despite the lower accident rate on State Highways, every incident is a reminder of the continuous need for road safety vigilance. Wrong side driving too led to 7 accidents. The traffic police have already initiated several measures to infuse discipline in motorists, including filing FIRs against violators from March 4. In the last three months, as many 2,212 motorists have been issued challans for wrong side driving. Even 5,222 motorists were penalized for speeding with 13,160 getting challans for jumping signals.
Traffic experts express concern over potentially higher accident rates due to underreported minor incidents. Stressing the importance of collaboration among agencies and focusing on the 3 Es (engineering, enforcement, and education), experts emphasize regular post-mortem of accidents and holding accountable officials responsible for road engineering flaws.
The data underscores the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures in Nagpur, particularly on NMC and NIT-managed roads, which are prone to accidents. Efforts towards stricter enforcement, coupled with improved road engineering and public awareness, are imperative to mitigate the devastating toll of road accidents on lives and livelihoods.
