Over 88 individuals died and more than 1,000 sustained injuries due to road accidents in Jammu’s Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts during the first seven months of 2023. These alarming figures came to light following a recent analysis by the Traffic Police Rural Jammu, revealing 699 road accidents in this timeframe. In a response to this troubling trend, authorities launched a special drive aimed at addressing two-wheeler violations which have constituted a staggering 44% of the total accidents.
The intensive awareness and enforcement campaign spanned from September 1 to 14, driven by the increasing number of two-wheeler crashes. A spokesperson for the Traffic Police Rural Jammu noted that this initiative saw them booking 8,675 violators as part of their ongoing safety efforts.
Analysing data collected from January to July, the traffic police confirmed that 309 of the reported accidents involved two-wheelers, leading to 39 fatalities and injuries for 384 individuals. This dire situation indicates a pressing need for comprehensive traffic safety measures.
Among all accidents, statistics show that National Highways accounted for 102 fatal incidents involving two-wheelers, while 210 accidents occurred on local roads. Notably, 27% of victims were under the age of 26, highlighting a critical demographic that requires targeted safety education.
To combat these escalating figures, the Traffic Police implemented a robust awareness campaign across all four districts, emphasizing both education and stringent enforcement. This included the issuance of a high number of challans, with 5,767 riders penalized for riding without helmets and 1,152 pillion riders fined for similar infractions.
The enforcement actions also encompassed violations such as dangerous driving (260 incidents), the use of mobile phones while driving (188 incidents), and the operation of vehicles without valid licenses (146 incidents). In a striking instance, three minors were found illegally riding two-wheelers, prompting the police to seize their vehicles as part of this special drive.
Additionally, the police conducted an impressive 267 awareness programs in various public locales such as educational institutions and bus stands. These initiatives primarily targeted youth, fostering a culture of road safety awareness in places where they congregate.
In a novel approach, the Traffic Police introduced a ‘no-challan, only counselling’ initiative, allowing road users, especially two-wheeler riders, to engage in interactive sessions under dedicated canopies in Rajouri and Poonch. During these sessions, they received guidance on safe riding practices, helmet usage, and the potential consequences of reckless behavior.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser, has indicated that future special drives will aim to include Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) as well, as part of their overarching commitment to road safety. He urged all motorists to adhere to traffic rules and emphasized that rigorous enforcement measures will persist to protect public safety.
The grim statistics underscore the necessity for reflective measures to enhance road safety and curb the erratic behaviour that leads to such dire consequences.
