Over 5,200 people die in road accidents in Gujarat every year, while average number of those getting injured in mishap is a little over 32,800.
Over 5,200 people die in road accidents in Gujarat every year, while average number of those getting injured in mishap is a little over 32,800.
The number keeps increasing every year, for example a whopping 6,915 people lost their lives in road mishaps in 2007. With the sale of vehicles in the state showing an upward graph, one would expect more pressure on road traffic. The present situation does not inspire much hope for future.
An alarmed state government is planning a State Road Safety Policy which may help in reducing the number of road accidents and minimising the number of deaths and injuries.
The number of deaths caused by road mishaps in Gujarat is 10 to 15 times higher than the average in developed countries. Statistics for the last few years reveal a scary picture. It shows the number of accidents is on the rise.
In 2007, around 34,000 road accidents were registered by Gujarat police. The number will go up significantly if taken into account the cases which are not reported to police. On an average, 93 road accidents occur in Gujarat everyday, killing 17 and injuring about 98 people. More disturbingly, 30 per cent of the road mishap victims are below the age of 30 years.
Highly-placed sources in the state government said, “The new policy aims to address three important issues in road safety - road safety education (awareness), road engineering and effective enforcement of motor vehicle laws. Under the new policy, road safety course will be introduced at school level under which the students will be taught road safety issues and also the punishment for violation of the safety norms. The government will also promote formation of road safety institute and agencies in public private partnership (PPP) model.
Non-government organisations (NGOs) will also be encouraged to conduct road safety programmes like training of school van drivers, teachers, students and parents.” Sources said the government is also planning to make the existing motor vehicle act more stricter and introduce new laws or rule for better enforcement of the existing rules such as fitness rules and use of reflectors.
“The government will also have major focus on road engineering. Many accidents occur due to faulty designs of the roads. Government will have more emphasis on road designs which can minimise the possibility of road accidents,” it added.
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