Road mishaps claimed over 550 pedestrians this year

NEW DELHI: Rash and negligent driving, over-speeding, and disobeying traffic rules in general have led to the death of 552 pedestrians so far this year. In the corresponding period last year, the number was lower at 505.

Data on fatal accidents released by Delhi Traffic Police, accessed by Millennium Post, claimed that in 2017, as many as 504 cases of accidents involving pedestrian were reported. This year, the cases increased to 546.

The data also claimed that in 2017, till September, 1,137 road accidents were reported, while till September this year, the number stood at 1,136.

"1,154 persons died last year (till September), whereas 1,174 persons were killed in fatal accidents in 2018," the data claimed.

Meanwhile, 52 persons were killed this year in 42 accidents involving private cars, whereas the number of fatalities last year was 44.

"55 persons died in 2017, whereas 39 died in 2018 in accidents involved bicycle," added the data.

Over 350 accidents involving scooters and motorcycles were reported this year, in which 372 persons were killed.

Last year, the number of cases was 397, in which 402 persons died. A traffic policewoman talks to drivers of private transport vehicles during a safety awareness programme

This year, six accidents involving e-rickshaws claimed six lives, while four such accidents claimed as many lives in 2017.

Fifteen persons were killed in 14 tempo accidents this year, while eight such accidents claimed eight people last year.

Seven were killed in six accidents involving goods-carrier vehicles this year.

One such horrific accident took place in January, when five powerlifters from Delhi were killed after their car hit a road divider and crashed into a pole on the Delhi-chandigarh highway.

Among the deceased was Saksham, who had bagged the world champion title in Moscow last year.

In another accident in June, three persons died and one was injured after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a stationary truck in outer Delhi's Mangolpuri.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said they take necessary measures to minimise road accidents, including spreading awareness on road safety throughout different sections of society.

"If required, we also write to other agencies," he said.

Another officer claimed that there are multiple reasons leading to pedestrian deaths, such as crossing the road during heavy traffic, not using Zebra crossing, vehicle being driven rashly and out of control.

"The concerned DCPS also analysed the pattern of accidents in their respective area to get solution for curbing them," said the officer.