Nagpur has witnessed a concerning rise in road accidents during the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year. However, there is a glimmer of hope as fatalities resulting from these accidents have decreased, indicating an increasing awareness among road users about safety measures, particularly use of helmets. According to the data received from the City police, a total of 476 road accidents were reported in Nagpur from January to May 2023. Tragically, these accidents claimed the lives of 107 individuals and left 495 persons injured. In comparison, during the corresponding months in 2022, the city recorded 435 road accidents, leading to 131 fatalities and 443 injuries.

 

The statistics highlight a 8.61 per cent increase in the number of accidents and a worrying 11.75 per cent rise in injuries. However, there is a significant improvement in terms of road fatalities, with a decrease of 24 deaths (18.32%) during the same period. This indicates a growing consciousness among road users about the importance of safety gear, such as helmets, as over 70% of the fatalities were attributed to head injuries in Nagpur. A police official closely involved in traffic management pointed out several key causes of road accidents. These include overspeeding, drunken driving, driver distractions, red light violations, non-adherence to safety gear like seat belts and helmets, as well as improper lane driving and reckless overtaking.The rise in accidents suggests a violation of for traffic rules, particularly the issue of overspeeding, he said.

 

The decrease in road fatalities alongside the increase in accidents indicates that a larger proportion of vehicle users are acknowledging the significance of wearing safety gear, including helmets. However, the data also suggested the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and greater adherence to speed limits to reduce the occurrence of accidents, he said. A retired police official stated that the data serves as a wake-up call for the traffic police. “The growing congestion on the city road is a also one of the reason for sudden jump in the road accident cases. The police must intensify the efforts to reduce rampent congestion at important juctions and give much awaited relief,” he opined.