Alarming concern of rising road accidents
Despite improved car technology and road expansion Jammu and Kashmir recorded 4,990 accidents this year so far, which has left 703 dead and 6,820 injured. Srinagar city this year so far recorded 394 accidents, leaving 50 dead and 411 injured.
Official figures suggest that Srinagar has 5 lakh registered vehicles and sees a major inflow of tourist vehicles and inter-district traffic on a daily basis. Many experts feel road infrastructure in Srinagar city is not commensurate with the volume of traffic.
Annually, Jammu and Kashmir accounted for three per cent of accidents in the country, recording the highest number of accidents among the union territories including the national capital. The official data shows that it saw 6,092 accidents in 2022 further up by 6,298 in 2023 with 893 deaths.
India saw a total 4,61,312 accidents claiming 68,491 lives and wounding 4,43,366 people, according to the Ministry of Highways and Road Transport. It contributes 11 per cent in total fatalities, ranking 3rd globally for road crashes.
While India was one of the first few countries to have signed the Brasilia Declaration in 2015 where it pledged to reduce fatalities by 50 per cent by 2020, but it was unable to achieve that target.
In 2023 alone, over 5,000 road accidents were reported in Kashmir. Among these, 800 lives were lost, and over 4,000 people were left injured, many with lifelong disabilities. Even more distressing is the fact that minors were involved in about 15% of these accidents, often driving without licenses or training.
Kashmir’s roads are now fraught with danger. Potholes, narrow lanes, and insufficient lighting make driving a perilous task. Add to this the treacherous weather, from heavy snowfall to landslides on highways like the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, and the risk multiplies exponentially.
Over speeding, abrupt overtaking, and ignoring basic traffic rules have become alarmingly common. The lack of formal driver training programs means many drivers are ill-prepared for the complexities of navigating Kashmir’s challenging roads.
One of the most disturbing aspects of this crisis is the involvement of minors. Children as young as 16 are seen driving vehicles, often encouraged by families who underestimate the risks. Tragically, this ignorance frequently ends in loss—both of young lives and of the lives they impact.
Every accident sends shockwaves through the community. Families lose breadwinners, parents lose children, and friends lose companions. The emotional scars often run deeper than the physical ones, leaving survivors grappling with trauma for years.
Economically, the losses are staggering. Hospital bills, loss of income, and the cost of rehabilitation place immense strain on families. Meanwhile, the healthcare system in Kashmir struggles to cope, with hospitals often overcrowded and under-resourced.
Roads in Kashmir need urgent upgrade. Widening highways, repairing potholes, and installing proper lighting can save lives. In regions prone to landslides, advanced engineering solutions must be deployed while the leniency with which traffic violations are treated must end. Strict enforcement, especially against underage and reckless driving, is essential.
The rising number of road accidents in Kashmir is not just a crisis—it’s a call to action for everyone. Authorities must prioritize road safety as a public health issue, while citizens must embrace responsible behavior behind the wheel.
Parents and society have to play their role in curbing reckless driving by underage persons otherwise such accidents will continue to happen and religious leaders and grassroots level political workers to aware people and convince them to play their role in stopping underage driving. The society has a role in it, as it has major stake in putting end on rising road accidents.
Driving by the underage people — especially in the rural areas– is a common sight despite it being an unlawful act for the risks linked with it. Teenagers drive vehicles –two wheelers, auto rickshaws and cars –without a license, violate the law and imperil lives — including their own. There is a perception among masses that the issue is a low priority for the authorities. The notion needs to be dispelled at the earliest though the law is clear — under the Motor Vehicles Act, no one below 18 years of age can drive.
Droves of underage drivers are rendered wounded; sometimes languishing in bed for months together, finding down the drain the hard earned income of their parents. This money could be spent well towards some fruitful purpose but it ends up spent for an undesirable work: in treating the injuries. Notably, deaths from road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir/ JK remain as a major cause. According to a recently released report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), an alarming total of 4,287 lives were tragically lost due to road accidents from 2018 to 2022 in Jammu and Kashmir.
It is widely believed that speeding, overloading and unnecessary overtaking contribute to the growing road mishaps. Shockingly, most teenage drivers do not put on helmets while operating the two wheelers. And with no one to stop or council, the teenagers derive pleasure in driving at an alarming speed. Stunts steal the show, leading to the imbalance of the vehicle and subsequent fatalities. Parents, in most cases, are directly responsible for the underage accidents.
Police cannot keep an eye everywhere; nor can punitive measures work wonders every time. Society must step in with a reformative mindset to help stem the steady wave of road accidents. The ‘business as usual approach’ will exacerbate the situation.
Equally important is the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Using technology like speed cameras and imposing heavy penalties for violations can deter reckless behaviour. Awareness campaigns can instill a culture of responsible driving along with awareness about the importance of adhering to speed limits, wearing seat belts, and avoiding drunk driving. Encouraging the use of public transport can reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, easing congestion and lowering the risk of accidents.
Furthermore, emergency response preparedness must be bolstered to facilitate swift rescue and medical assistance in the event of accidents. Establishing dedicated emergency response teams equipped with specialised training and equipment can significantly reduce response times and save lives. Every life lost on the roads is a tragic reminder of the urgent need to prioritise road safety. The reasons are well known, and it’s time to implement proper safety measures.
Every accident is preventable. Every life lost is a failure to act. The time has come to turn these tragedies into a collective resolve to make Kashmir’s roads safer. The valley that has witnessed so much pain deserve a future where roads lead to prosperity, not peril.
By: Mohammad Numaan
