Roads most unsafe in morning

TRANSPORT DEPT DATA Out of 35,612 accidents that took place in 2017, over 5,000 happened between 6am & 9am

LUCKNOW: Commuters need to be cautious while driving on state roads, even in morning hours -a time usually considered congestion-free and safe for driving at higher speeds.

Data from transport department shows that out of the total 35,612 accidents that took place in 2017, as many as 5,073 occurred between 6am to 9 am. Statistics say that 2,545 people sustained grievous injuries in these mishaps and 2,802 lost their lives.

These figures are especially pertinent in view of the fact minimum police deployment is seen on roads during the morning. This is also the time when school buses / vans ferry kids to schools.

“The number of accidents have gone up, and major contributors to this are wrong side driving, alcohol consumption and high speed driving,” said Prof Sandip Tiwari, in charge, KGMU trauma centre.

Transport department officials say that about 25% of the total number school vehicles are being operated in violation of road safety norms.

A senior official, who did not wish to be named, said that checking drives were carried

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The number of accidents has gone up, and major contributors to this are wrong side driving, alcohol consumption and high speed driving

PROF SANDIP TIWARI, in charge, KGMU trauma centre

out to look into vehicle registration and fitness and if they had the required permissions to operate.

“According to our teams engaged in these drives, most drivers flout at least one or two traffic norms, and about 25% were found violating rules at any given point in time,” he said.

The officer said that the most common violations by school vehicles included overloading, expired fitness certificates and absence of necessary permissions.

As per rules, a school van can carry 150% load of its total seating capacity. This means, if a vehicle is a six-seater, it can carry nine children.

However, most such vehicles carry no less than 12 kids, said the official.