City roads safer due to strict traffic policing: Official………..Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN
Mumbai: While Maharashtra had achieved the dubious distinction in 2007 of having the most number of road accidents as well as fatalities across the nation,
Mumbai topped the charts within the state for being the city with the highest number of road accidents that same year.
Upto 754 people were killed, 2,132 were seriously injured and 4,340 had minor injuries after road accidents across Mumbai in 2007. Meanwhile, till August 31 in 2008, there have been 424 fatalities, 1,385 serious injuries and 2,740 minor injuries. Maharashtra government officials cite these figures as signs of improving road safety.
A senior state home department official claimed that there were fewer fatal accidents in Mumbai following stringent measures initiated by the city’s traffic police in the metropolis.
“The police in Mumbai initiated a sustained campaign against motorcyclists who ride without helmets, drunken driving and speeding. As a result, there have been fewer accidents as well as fatalities in the metropolis,’’ he said.
Thanks to a multi-pronged strategy drafted by the Congressled Democratic Front government, state officials say there has been a drop in the number of fatalities on roads across the state this year.
Following the November 1 bus accident in Raigad, in which 23 people died, deputy chief minister R R Patil called for the records of accidents across the state to review the scenario.
Meanwhile, in nearby Navi Mumbai there were 434 fatalities in 2007, 915 serious injuries and 283 minor injuries. However, till August 31 in 2008, there have been 248 fatalities, 529 serious injuries and 172 minor injuries.
Thane city had 305 fatalities, 886 serious injuries and 789 minor injuries in 2007. Meanwhile, to date in 2008, the satellite city has had 218 fatalities, 558 serious injuries and 341 minor injuries.
The perceived drop in accidents in the Mumbai metropolitan region is occurring against the backdrop of increased vehicle ownership.
ACCIDENT REPORT: After the recent mishap in Raigad on November 1, which led to 23 deaths, home minister R R Patil called for a review of accident data from across the state