Loss of lives due to road accidents had considerably come down in Madurai and Virudhunagar districts thanks to a slew of preventive measures, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Madurai Range) Pradip Kumar.
Addressing the media here on Thursday, Mr. Pradip said fatal road accidents had reduced by 42% in Madurai district and 40% in Virudhunagar district in 2018 till July 24, when compared to the data of the corresponding period in 2017.
While the number of fatal accidents in Madurai rural district was 308 till July 24, 2017, it had drastically come down to 176 during the same period in 2018. In Virudhunagar district, it had come down to 119 from 197. Mr. Pradip attributed the dip in number of fatal accidents to preventive measures such as vehicle check and booking of motor petty cases in a targeted manner, especially in accident-prone areas.
The police in both the districts had identified accident-prone areas and were trying different ways to prevent accidents. “An Additional Superintendent of Police has been appointed as nodal officer to coordinate with the officials of highways and revenue departments for rectifying defects in road engineering,” he said.
Wherever it was not immediately possible, the police used mobile barricades to slow down the speed of vehicles. The Road Accident Data Management gives a complete analysis of the road accidents, such as the stretch of roads prone for accidents, type of vehicles involved and timings of road accidents. “With this, our officials are able to plan suitably to prevent accidents,” he said.
Besides booking motor petty cases, the police have been recommending suspension of driving licences of habitual violators of road rules. People riding motorcycles without helmet, drunken driving, over-speeding and overloading were being recommended for suspension of driving licences. Mr. Pradip said compliance of road rules had increased among road users due to such actions. “However, creating awareness and educating road users on following road rules will further reduce road accidents,” he said.
The DIG, on behalf of Inspector General of Police (South Zone), received a torch brought through North and West zones in connection with the 58th Tamil Nadu Sports and Games Meet to be held in Tiruchi. The torch was carried to Tiruchi. A total of 140 police officials and personnel from south zone will participate in various events at the meet to be held between July 27 and 29.
Superintendent of Police N. Manivannan was present.
