There was a dip in the number of road accident fatalities in the State during 2014, compared to the figures in the previous three years.
As many as 3,967 people were killed in road accidents during the January-December 2014 period. The figure was 4,258 in the corresponding period in 2013. The figure was 4,286 in 2012 and 4,145 in 2011. The State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) was yet to release the detailed statistics which include the cause and the types of vehicles involved. The highest number of deaths, 405, were reported in January 2014 and the lowest, 267, in October.
The dip in fatalities, by 291, in 2014 has come as a relief to law-enforcing agencies. Enforcement and awareness helped bring down accident deaths, State Transport Commissioner R. Sreelekha said. In the January-May 2014 period, 1,788 lives were lost and 17,152 injured in accidents. The State witnessed 15,375 accidents during the period, in which, 10,951 were grievously injured and 6,201 others injured.
Using IT-based intelligent devices such as speed radars and cameras in more areas in the State and enhancing the penalty amount for traffic-related offences also helped, sources said. Former Deputy Transport Commissioner P.D. Sukumaran said the crackdown on drunk driving and closure of bars also helped reduce road accident deaths.
Enforcement, awareness drives helped, says
R. Sreelekha
