Ranchi sees rise in road mishaps since 2020; over 1,000 died in last 29 months

CONRAD DIAS

Ranchi, July 11: There has been an increase in the number of road accidents in the city in the last 29 months, as per the findings by the District Road Safety Committee.

In this period, a total of 1,465 road accidents took place in Ranchi, out of which 827 were injured while 1,037 lost their lives.

According to statistics, 50% of people killed in road accidents did not wear a helmet. Analysis of the data shows that year after year road accidents are increasing, along with the death toll.

At the review meeting of the District Road Safety Committee on June 25, measures to curb the increasing number of road accidents were discussed. The fact has emerged that in Ranchi, people wear helmets and seat belts while driving due to a fear of getting fined by traffic cops in urban areas, whereas in rural areas, people are very careless towards traffic rules, as a result of which road accidents are on the rise.

The majority of road accidents, according to the road safety engineer, are caused by speeding. Most of the road accidents due to over-speeding have been on NH-33 and Ring Road, as these roads are in good condition.

People are being educated to reduce traffic accidents. People are appealed to not to avoid fines but to use helmets and seat belts for their own safety, “he said.

These measures are being taken to prevent accidents:

• Driving licence holders are motivated to follow traffic rules and safety standards.

• Violators of traffic rules are also made aware by the traffic police while paying the fine.

• Counseling is being done by the Transport Department to the students regarding the traffic rules in their school-college.

• People are being made aware of road safety through street plays in urban as well as rural areas.

• Measures are being taken to prevent accidents by marking black spots on various roads in the district.

• Notices are being given to the petrol pumps in front of which illegal cuts have been made. Orders are being given to close those cuts.