26 dark spots in Amritsar, no effort to tame reckless drivers
AMRITSAR: This is not the first time the city has figured among the fatal accident-prone places in the country, but nothing seems to have changed.
Amritsar has the second highest road accident severity, as 102 persons were killed in 152 accidents, according to data compiled by the transport research wing of the Union road transport and highways ministry for 2016.
After the report came out, Hindustan Times did a reality check and found that the city residents continue to violate traffic rules with impunity, putting their and others’ lives in danger. The traffic police have also done little to ensure discipline on the city roads.
They had marked 26 accident-prone areas in the city, including Maqboolpura Chowk, Sangam Chowk, Hussanpura Chowk, Bhandari Pul, Lohgarh Chowk, Sultanwind Gate Chowk, Ghee Mandi Chowk and Chita Gumbad, but they continue to be neglected.
The police have been busy in taking action against those two-wheeler riders who have their faces covered, turning a blind eye to more serious traffic violations such as helmet-less driving, jumping tariff signals, rash driving, speeding and mobile phone use while driving. Traffic police inspector Amolak Singh, in-charge of Amritsar city, blamed helmet-less driving and lack of awareness about traffic rules among the people for most fatal accidents. “People do not want to listen despite warning and do not want to obey. We have been organising special camps in schools, colleges and taxi stands to make students and drivers aware of traffic rules. If two-wheeler riders start wearing helmet, things will improve because most of the accident-related deaths occur due to head injuries,” he said.
However, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) authorities, where the injured in most accidents are taken, said speeding, rash driving and drunk driving were the prime causes of fatal accidents. The hospital does not have a neurosurgeon and forced to refer patients with head injuries to PGIMER, Chandigarh. There are two private hospitals with trauma centres and facilities to treat head injuries in accident cases, but they are beyond the reach of the poor.