Vehicle users continue to flout traffic rules resulting in several accidents in Puducherry

Despite the efforts of police to enforce rules, including wearing of helmet, motorists continued to flout traffic rules resulting in several accidents, including 28 fatalities in the last three months. 

Data available with Traffic police showed that around 367 accidents, including 28 fatalities, 42 grievous and 285 simple injures have occurred in Puducherry in this period. Around 70% of the fatalities reported from July to September in the region were involving two-wheeler riders. The remaining victims were pedestrians, who were knocked down by some speeding vehicle. 

Majority of the accidents have been reported in the suburban and rural areas of Puducherry. Twenty six of the total fatalities were reported in places that fall under the limits of North, South and West police stations. The accident hot-spots are mainly on Puducherry-Cuddalore, Puducherry-Villupuram and Puducherry-Kalapet stretches. Out of the three stretches, most accidents, including fatalities were reported on the Villupuram route, data showed.

“Most of the fatalities were due to head injuries involving two-wheeler riders. As far as two-wheeler riders were concerned, we have been insisting that the riders wear helmets. In the last three months, we have imposed fine on 15,885 two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets. Riding without a helmet substantially increases the risk of serious head injuries in the event of a road accident,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Divya told The Hindu. 

She said during the enforcement drive in the last three months, traffic personnel have imposed fine on 48,435 vehicle users, majority of which was for helmet rule violations. The other major offences reported during the period, included use of cell phone while driving (7,643), wrong-side driving (7,269), red-light jumping (4,507), driving without seatbelt (2,903) and drunken driving (701).

The SSP said repeated advisories were being issued to vehicles users on the importance of following traffic rules. “We will continue to conduct regular and intensified enforcement drives at accident prone-locations, major junctions and other vulnerable stretches in the region. The enforcement measures are intended to make road users comply with rules, ensure road discipline and reduce accidents,” she said. 

MoU signed

Meanwhile, the Puducherry Transport department has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ALERT (Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team), a voluntary organisation, to promote road safety and train drivers and transport personnel in first aid and emergency response. Transport Secretary Rajeeva Shukla and ALERT president R. Mananathan signed the agreement.

According to a Transport department official, “As our knowledge partner, ALERT will conduct road safety awareness programmes for truck, PRTC bus and auto-rickshaw drivers.” The programmes will also cover members of the public visiting the department for obtaining driving licences, registration certificate renewals and for getting vehicle fitness certificates, he said.

The agreement provides for first aid and emergency response training for drivers, conductors and school bus personnel, with a focus on life-saving care during the “golden hour” after an accident. ALERT will also organise accident prevention and emergency preparedness programmes for students and young people, and encourage community participation in preventing road accidents.

Awareness sessions will cover legal protection and reward schemes for Good Samaritans who assist accident victims. The organisation will also work with the department on Road Safety Week programmes, roadshows and exhibitions, besides conducting capacity-building programmes for officials of the departments concerned.