Increasing road accidents is a cause of concern and vehicle drivers should follow the road rules to prevent accidents, District collector V. Dakshinamoorthy said here recently.
Speaking at a conference held to create awareness on road safety, he said that 6.50 lakh accidents takes place on Indian roads every year in which 1.39 lakh people lose their life.
About 4.50 lakh people become disabled and 12 lakh people suffer serious injuries every year, he added. In Tamil Nadu, 14,500 accidents took place in 2013 in which 15,500 lost their lives.
In Namakkal district, 438 road accidents took place in 2013 in which 463 lost lives. In 2014, road accidents have come down to 418 and casualty stood at 451. He said that various steps are being taken to prevent accidents. “But vehicle users should follow the rules to prevent accidents,” he added.
Pointing out the recent accidents in the district that killed five members of a family in Budhansandai, four in Kolli Hills and four in Tiruchengode, the Collector said that the families that lost their loved ones could not be consoled. “Actions were taken against the drivers for causing accidents,” he added. He asked drivers not to speak on mobile phones while at the wheels or play music loudly so that they do not get distracted and lose control of their wheels.
Superintendent of Police S.R. Senthilkumar, officials from Regional Transport Office, Highway engineers and others participated.
