Road accidents rise

Despite relentless campaigns carried out by various bodies to raise awareness about safe driving on the roads, the number of casualties from road accidents saw a marked rise in 2017.  According to a report published by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR), a non-government organisation, 4284 persons were killed in 2017, of which, 539 were children with 9112 persons injured.

This is a 15.82 per cent rise from 2016 and is lower than the overall casualty number in 2015. Comparisons aside, the crux of the issue is that thousands of people are dying every year and bringing down the number considerably seems like a challenge. Yet, we feel that if certain factors are taken into consideration with some laws enforced vigorously, accidents and unnecessary deaths can be prevented.

Reckless driving is still a cause for concern, especially by bus drivers who are in a ferocious competition to beat the rival bus company in attracting the most passengers. Within major cities, this passenger catching technique results in rash driving though placement of speed breakers has put a check on widespread risky driving.

There are several other factors and the most worrying is the culture of not providing enough time to recuperate for long route drivers. Lured by a system to make the maximum profit by spending the least, owners of several coach services often deprive drivers of resting time. On the other hand, new and inexperienced drivers, given charge of passenger carrying vehicles or goods delivering trucks, make horrendous mistakes resulting in an unfortunate loss of lives.  Regrettably, as a nation we are so inured by road accidents that these incidents are forgotten soon after and the causes remain unaddressed.

The government must enact a legislation making physical rest for long route drivers, also make skills test for bus/truck drivers mandatory. This is one sector where development  agencies should also get involved and support in providing road safety training across the country.

Overcrowding of passenger vehicles is a common cause for accidents within towns and cities and in these cases, traffic police need to be unyielding in handing out instant fines plus impound the vehicle in question if it appears to be unfit.  Honestly speaking, accidents on roads can come down when the approach is integrated with all aspects treated with equal importance. Simply holding safe road weeks or blaring messages of safety won’t bring any change.  Perhaps the government can think of an intense two year strategic drive, roping in development partners plus top business conglomerates.

 

Road accidents rise

Despite relentless campaigns carried out by various bodies to raise awareness about safe driving on the roads, the number of casualties from road accidents saw a marked rise in 2017. According to a report published by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR), a non-government organisation, 4284 persons were killed in 2017, of which, 539 were children with 9112 persons injured. This is a 15.82 per cent rise from 2016 and is lower than the overall casualty number in 2015. Comparisons aside, the crux of the issue is that thousands of people are dying every year and bringing down the number considerably seems like a challenge. Yet, we feel that if certain factors are taken into consideration with some laws enforced vigorously, accidents and unnecessary deaths can be prevented. Reckless driving is still a cause for concern, especially by bus drivers who are in a ferocious competition to beat the rival bus company in attracting the most passengers. Within major cities, this passenger catching technique results in rash driving though placement of speed breakers has put a check on widespread risky driving. There are several other factors and the most worrying is the culture of not providing enough time to recuperate for long route drivers. Lured by a system to make the maximum profit by spending the least, owners of several coach services often deprive drivers of resting time. On the other hand, new and inexperienced drivers, given charge of passenger carrying vehicles or goods delivering trucks, make horrendous mistakes resulting in an unfortunate loss of lives. Regrettably, as a nation we are so inured by road accidents that these incidents are forgotten soon after and the causes remain unaddressed. The government must enact a legislation making physical rest for long route drivers, also make skills test for bus/truck drivers mandatory. This is one sector where development agencies should also get involved and support in providing road safety training across the country. Overcrowding of passenger vehicles is a common cause for accidents within towns and cities and in these cases, traffic police need to be unyielding in handing out instant fines plus impound the vehicle in question if it appears to be unfit. Honestly speaking, accidents on roads can come down when the approach is integrated with all aspects treated with equal importance. Simply holding safe road weeks or blaring messages of safety wont bring any change. Perhaps the government can think of an intense two year strategic drive, roping in development partners plus top business conglomerates.