Traffic discipline, better road engineering key to cutting accident cases further, say road users

PUDUCHERRY

Road users and traffic rule enforcers want appropriate road engineering technologies in place to reduce the number of accidents in the Union Territory.

Though the number of accidents has come down drastically in the last four years, the National Highways, the State Highways, junctions and curved sections pose a major challenge to the traffic police in keeping accidents at bay.

Statistics available with the Traffic Department reveal that the number of accidents, including fatal ones, has gone down in the last three to four years. It has declined from 1,669 accidents in 2017 to 1,614 in 2018; 1,408 in 2019; 968 in 2020; and 1,013 in 2021. Till August this year, the Union Territory has seen 734 accidents, including 82 fatal cases, 284 cases involving grievous injuries and 341 cases involving simple injuries.

“The steep decline in accident cases witnessed in 2020 could be due to COVID-19 restrictions. But an analysis reveals a declining trend. There is tremendous scope for further reduction in cases if we inculcate more self-discipline in all kinds of vehicle users, introduce better road engineering methods and impose a hefty fine on violators,” an official in the Transport Department said.

A data analysis reveals that a majority of the accidents occurred on National Highways, State Highways, intersections and curved sections, warranting better traffic management and use of appropriate technologies at these sites. For example, of the 968 road accidents reported in 2020, 472 took place on National Highways and 173 on State Highways. The highest number of accidents was on NH 45A, followed by NH32 and NH 332.

Junctions remain a major challenge to traffic management. In 2020, 426 accidents occurred at junctions - 44% of the total of 968 accidents - and resulted in 75 fatalities.

While 165 accidents, including 21 fatalities, occurred on T-junctions (a junction in which one road joins another at right angle, but they do not cross each other) in 2021, 82 accidents, including 15 fatalities, were reported on junctions where four lanes meet. Also, 71 accidents were reported from roundabout junctions. Two-wheeler riders were the most vulnerable. During 2021, 78 two-wheeler riders met with accidents at T-junctions, 39 at four-arm roads and 32 at roundabout junctions, data revealed.