Even as the United Nations-World Health Organisation’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Accident Victims is being observed on Sunday, the inability of agencies concerned to curb the rise in number of road accident fatalities is turning to be a concern in the State.
Improved road conditions, a series of awareness programmes, better enforcement and political commitment had resulted in a decline in the number of road accidents in the State in 2008.
Road safety experts say efforts to enforce the use of helmet and seatbelts, speed regulation, observance of yellow line markings and a check on drunk driving had not yielded the desired results.
According to road accident statistics compiled by the State Crime Records Bureau, 3,862 people were killed and 43,914 injured in 37,306 road accidents in the State in 2008. In 2007, 3,675 people were killed and 48,248 injured in 39,916 accidents.
During the nine months ending September this year, 2,804 were killed and 18,357 seriously injured and 12,804 sustained minor injuries in 26,424 road accidents in the State.
“The Road Safety Authority could have done more to bring down the accidents. The authority could not intervene effectively in spite of the State being on top of the list,” a road safety expert said.
Etienne Krug, WHO Director, Department of Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability said in a message that all societies and individuals should do more to recognize the impact of road accidents and extend their support to those affected. Road accidents kill nearly 1.3 million people every year and injure or disable as many as 50 million more.
Almost 4,000 people are killed and thousands injured each day on the road.
Remembrance
To mark the day, 48 candles will be lit at a specially erected podium on the YMCA premises at 6.30 p.m.
The function is being organised jointly by ADIC India Road Safety Alliance, Soorya and YMCA.
