Flouting traffic norms seems to have become a rule on the road for Amdavadis these days. Especially so, when there is no one to monitor the rule breaker. DNA takes a look at how traffic is stressing Amdavadis out and delaying them everywhere. Will the city cops wake up to the menace?
Road mishaps cause at least 204 deaths every year in Ahmedabad, thanks to the increasing number of vehicles on the city roads. With 18 lakh vehicles plying on the road, there is chaos all around as a very few motorists care for their own and others’ safety by driving within the permissible limits of speed and traffic regulations.
A report prepared by the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Cept) University says from 2005 to 2010, 1,227 people lost their lives in accidents on city roads. The report submitted to the Ahmedabad city traffic police recently states that the total number of accidents registered during this period was around 13,747. Of these, 1,326 caused serious injuries and 11,003 minor injuries.
The report suggests that there is a 28% increase in fatal accidents if 1988 (146 fatal accidents) is taken as the base year. In 2009, the number of fatal accidents increased to 188. Similarly, the number of accidents causing serious injuries increased by 144% to 266 in 2009 from 109 accidents in 1988. These figures are shocking, especially in view of the fact that helmets were made compulsory in 2005-06. While many would be victims of irresponsible driving, city traffic police say this is mainly because the commuters are not afraid of being punished for violating traffic norms.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) MM Anarwala told DNA that in Ahmedabad violation of rules are very high as people are not ashamed of breaking them.
“They might think twice before breaking general rules but commuters are fearless when it comes to breaking traffic norms. People should not take these rules lightly as it may cause someone’s death. There is need for awareness,” he said.
On corrective measures needed to manage traffic chaos and minimise road accidents, associate director of Cept University, HM Shivanand Swamy, says people should be educated about traffic rules.
"The major challenge in traffic management in Ahmedabad is educating people to follow the norms. This might bring down the number of road accidents," said Swamy who was involved in preparing the report. "I think the big challenge before us is to bring down the number of fatal accidents from 204 to 100 a year," he said. Swamy emphasised that compared to Delhi and Bangalore, Ahmedabad is a much safer city. But there is always scope for improvement, he added.
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