The Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP) while looking at the 30th Road Safety Week 2019 have claimed that the purpose of the annual awareness programme is thoroughly being achieved as drivers are becoming conscious of traffic rules and are also responding in a positive manner. The claim is also justified by the fact that the number of fatalities which was over 35 per cent in 2015 have drastically reduced to 24 per cent in 2017 and the figures still continue to drop. Also, the updated figures until November 2018, as shared by the traffic police, reveal that the number of deaths recorded in 2018 is the least (373) as compared to figures in the preceding four years; 490 in 2017, 562 in 2016, 611 in 2015, and 598 in 2014.
Similarly, the number of fatal accidents have also seen a significant drop and now, the traffic police is focussing on identifying black spots and strict enforcement over risk factors like overspeeding, drink driving, not using helmets. They are trying to encourage more usage of safety belts and are initiating awareness campaigns.
However, the number of cases for two most repeated offences committed by the vehicle drivers which is over speeding & rash driving and no parking have seen growth and also the number of cases registered are high as compared to the preceding years. "Total 7,71,275 cases have been registered for over speeding and rash driving and 6,78,734 cases are registered for no parking in 2018. The records for other traffic violations like speaking on mobile phones, halting on white line, driving without helmet, drunken driving and towing are moderate and stable," said a traffic officer on the request of anonymity.
Likewise, data highlights that total amount of money in unpaid cases registered have shot up to Rs 1,01,90,75,100 which the highest in the last four years and also the number of unpaid cases are shown to be 19,91,387 which is another record high figure. The traffic cops aims to recover of unpaid challans in future and other relative issues are being solved gradually
Speaking to DNA, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Amitesh Kumar said, "The changes are evident in form of the numbers. Number of fatalities coming down itself says that we have been making efforts in right directions and also we are achieving fruitful results from it. The traffic police aims to reach out to maximum of vehicle owners. The service of the traffic police personnel and understanding of the commuters have managed to yield success. We are also getting positive response from the people much more will be done to perform even more better in future. Also the MTP mobile app is under the process of upgradation and once ready in few days, it will be more user friendly,"
The Road Safety Week which shall continue till Sunday is being celebrated by many public awareness campaigns and variety of programmes related to road safety. The traffic divisions across the city are also undertaking special interactions series with the auto drivers and advising them to ply on the roads keeping the interest and safety of the passengers in mind. Also, some divisions are conducting special drives in order to send across a strong message to all the riders and make the traffic scenario around railway stations clean and smooth. In a recent instance, 325 traffic violators were booked by Kurla, Ghatkopar and Mulund divisions respectively.
TIGHTENING THE REINS
- The traffic police is focussing on identifying black spots
- It plans strict enforcement over risk factors like over-speeding, drink driving, not using helmets
- The traffic department is trying to encourage people to make more use of safety belts and are initiating more number of awareness campaigns
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