Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Rising fatal accidents, a cause for concern

An increase in the number of fatal accidents within the city limits in 2008 compared to the previous year was perceptible notwithstanding road safety awareness campaigns and sustained drives by the law enforcers.

Rising fatal accident rate remains a cause for concern in the city where mounting rule violations caused by sustained rise in vehicle density is posing a challenge to the enforcement authorities.

Police statistics reveal that fatal accidents stood at 142 in 2008 as against 127 in the previous year. Fatalities also witnessed an upward trend with road accidents claiming the lives of 150 persons in 2008 as against 130 in the previous year.

Though there could be some consolation in the marginal drop in non-fatal accidents and the number of injured, the figures of 549 and 683 respectively under these two heads still remain a worrying factor. Negligence on the part of the vehicle users, over speeding, drunken driving which are quite common on the city roads have also been contributory factor for the accidents, say law enforcers.

Statistics also reveals that most number of fatal and non-fatal accidents have occurred in places falling under the Cantonment Police Station limits followed by areas coming under the jurisdiction of K.K. Nagar, Srirangam, Gandhi Market, Fort, Ariyamangalam and E. Pudur Police Station limits.

As many as 105 fatal accidents have been reported in places coming under the limits of these police stations, the statistics reveal. Though action is initiated against violators of traffic rules, offences by vehicle users continue to plague the traffic system.

There is still much more to be done on the traffic front. Firm action is required against rash driving by town buses, overloading in school auto rickshaws and those encroaching the road space which all jeopardises road safety, says M. Sekaran, convenor of the Federation of Service Organisations. Boards indicating speed limit of vehicles must be displayed at various points in the city, he pointed out.

Concrete action against offenders coupled with a long-term traffic plan would go a long way in checking road accidents, Mr. Sekaran said, calling for better coordination between different agencies in this regard.

Much could be achieved if only the decisions taken at the periodic Road Safety Council meetings are implemented in “letter and spirit”, Mr. Sekaran points out. According to the city police, strong actions have been initiated against drunken driving and over speeding, the major causes for accidents.

Seeking the cooperation of the road users in checking the accident rate, law enforcers acknowledge that coordination by other departments was also vital for effective enforcement of rules and improvement in traffic system.

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