The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Dip in road accident deaths

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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Dip in road accident deaths

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Increase in the number of traffic violation cases registered last year

5,207 cases of drunk driving registered
Silent enforcement to continue, says Police Commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There has been a fall in the number of deaths and injuries caused due to road accidents and an increase in the number of traffic violation cases registered in the city during the past 12 months when compared to the figures of 2006.

148 persons were killed and 2,406 injured in road accidents in the 12 months in the capital city, according to statistics compiled by the city traffic police.

The number of fatal road accident cases came down from 177 in 2006 to 137. Of the 2,406 injured in the city, 1612 persons sustained serious injuries and 794, minor injuries.

In 2006, 181 persons were killed and 2,497 injured in the city. Out of this, 1,657 were seriously injured. 840 persons sustained minor injuries.

There was a jump in the number of petty cases registered by the traffic police against erring motorists. It went up from 65,490 cases in 2006 to 80,229. Sources in the police said this was mainly due to action taken against those not using helmets and seat-belts.

As many as 27,370 motorists were booked for not wearing helmets and 5,370 for not fastening seat-belts. The petty cases registered for over speeding were 934. 1265 were booked for driving without valid documents. For driving without proper lights, 1603 persons were charged. 341 cases of overloading, 460 cases of failure to dim lights were also registered. 42,380 other petty cases were also registered.

The crack down against drunk driving was also stepped up and the number of cases registered under sections 184 and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act went up from 2,573 in 2006 to 5,207.

While only one case was registered by the traffic wing under Section 304 of the IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 94 cases were registered under Section 304 (A) of the IPC (accident death) during the period. 54 cases were booked under Section 279 of the IPC for rash and negligent driving during the period. The number of cases registered for simple hurt caused by road accident under Section 337 of the IPC was 271. City Police Commissioner Ravada A. Chandrasekhar said stern enforcement measures taken by the police despite the shortage of manpower had brought down the number of accidents.

The traffic police have been asked to take stern action against those who violate speed norms, Mr. Chandrasekshar said. “The action against motorists who flout traffic rules and silent enforcement will continue in the coming days,” he added.

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