The Hindu : Front Page : Steps to check accidents on rural roads

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Friday, Jun 19, 2009
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Steps to check accidents on rural roads

V.S. Palaniappan

Students can help regulate traffic flow
Expertise of Transport Department to be utilised

Coimbatore: Coimbatore Rural District police have begun an ‘accident mapping’ exercise to identify accident-prone areas so that steps can be taken to reduce accidents. Based on data, 300 such areas have been identified.

Coimbatore Rural District Superintendent of Police N. Kannan said there had been repeated reminders from the Inspector General of Police, West Zone, Pramod Kumar, and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Coimbatore Range, P. Sivanandi, asking field level police personnel to initiate measures to bring down the accident rate.

In 2007, there were 500 accidents claiming 521 lives. There were 1,248 non-fatal accidents. In 2008, there were 575 accidents that claimed 594 lives. There were 1,461 non-fatal accidents.

During the current year (till May 31) the total number of fatal accidents was 228, claiming 243 lives. There were 629 non-fatal accidents.

Accidents can be caused by the condition of roads and vehicles, by drivers or by road users. Construction defects in roads can be easily identified and rectified.

Police have been asked to get the support of educational institutions to start Road Safety Patrol (RSP) units and enable students to learn about traffic rules and road safety.

The students can help regulate traffic flow near their institutions.

Police are also visiting offices to tell employees about the need to wear helmets and avoid using cell phones while driving.

In coordination with the respective local bodies, construction defects in State and National Highways were being identified and remedied. The expertise of the Transport Department would also be utilised.

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