The Hindu : Front Page : Frequent road accidents, a cause for concern

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006
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Frequent road accidents, a cause for concern

Staff Reporter

60 per cent of them are caused owing to drunken driving

RECKLESS: A mini lorry overtaking on the Ponmalai road over-bridge in Tiruchi leaving little space for oncoming vehicles. — Photo: M. Moorthy

TIRUCHI: Road accidents have claimed 69 lives in the city till September this year, notwithstanding sustained drive by the traffic police.

As many as 540 accident cases, fatal and non-fatal, have been booked this year. An increase in vehicular population has contributed to more fatalities, though they are caused mostly by human error, say the traffic police.

Non-fatal accidents, which have become almost a daily occurrence, are even more disturbing with the figure being 471. Quoting statistics, the police say that the accident rate has actually come down this year, compared to the corresponding period last year when 77 fatal and 506 non-fatal accidents were reported.

Though carelessness and negligence on the part of road users have often led to road accidents, nearly 60 per cent of them are caused owing to drunken driving, says a senior police official. He says that 359 drunken driving cases were booked this year. Fine amounting to Rs. 3.16 lakh were realised. Other offences include rash driving, over-speeding, riding with two on the pillion, talking in cell phone while driving and overtaking from the wrong side.

The police have planned to form Road Safety Patrol shortly involving school students in traffic regulation and awareness creation.

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