600 losing lives annually in fatal accidents in Jammu: DIG Traffic Jammu

Jammu, Oct 30: DIG Traffic Range Jammu, Dr Muhammad Haseeb Mughal Wednesday stated that around 600 people were losing lives in road accidents every year across Jammu zone, including National Highway.

“The number of people sustaining injuries in these accidents is almost ten times the number of deaths. But the tragedy is that people are still not taking these statistics seriously. At the national level also, around 1.65 lakh people are getting killed in road accidents in a year. This has emerged as a serious concern,” Dr Haseeb Mughal noted with concern, while addressing a press conference here.

He said, “In the past one month or so, we have seen many accidents, big or small, taking place. We are losing precious lives in these accidents. Objective of this press conference is to share that the Traffic Department is taking all desired measures and is also trying to involve all stakeholders to check this trend.”

“This is the festive season and the traffic management system is challenging. Deepawali is a joyous occasion and we want you to celebrate it in that spirit. Follow traffic rules to reach your destination safely,” he said.

While mentioning reasons of road congestion, DIG Traffic Jammu said that the construction activities were on from Lakhanpur up to Banihal.

“We see men, machinery, materials on and along the roadside. This does create congestion. Stretch from Ban Toll upto Nashri tunnel is clear. We are trying to clear roads where the construction activities were completed. As regards National Highway, on an average around 10000-12000 vehicles ply on it every day and this number is around 3 lakh in a month,” he said.

DIG Traffic Jammu stated that better roads had become directly proportional to higher speed and thus more accidents and almost all fatal accidents, recording life-loss on the higher side.

“Smooth or better road does not mean that it should lead to deaths in accidents. People should follow road discipline, speed limit and traffic rules to prevent loss of precious human lives,” Dr Mughal said.

DIG Traffic Jammu stated, “In Jammu zone, 5.50 lakh challans were made during last year and this year, by September end, 4.50 lakh challans were also made. Our concern is that even this high number of challans is not creating deterrence. We are trying to address it at our end."

SSP Traffic National Highway, while addressing the presser, identified three main reasons behind spurt in road accidents i.e., lack of patience among drivers of small vehicles; besides overloading, drivers of heavy vehicles coming from plain areas were not accustomed to driving in hilly areas and thirdly, the parents were handing over vehicles to minors for driving, particularly in case of Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi districts.

Besides emphasising upon strict adherence to traffic rules, he, in particular, cautioned against use of mobile phones during driving and overtaking. “Overtaking leads to traffic jams, particularly on single-width roads, where construction activities are going on, and also on National Highway, which is also witnessing movement of nomads with their livestock,” he said.

“There is very good coordination between traffic police and National Highway Authority of India on NH-44,” SSP said, while responding to a related query.

Officials stated that strict enforcement of law and regulation was being made.

SSP City Jammu and SSP Traffic Jammu Rural zone too were present on the occasion, along with other officers.