Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082955500600.htm

Tamil Nadu

‘70 per cent accidents involve two-wheeler riders ’

Special Correspondent

Wear helmets, avoid rash driving: DIG

MADURAI: Many of the road accidents reported on the Madurai-Virudhunagar highway involved two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Madurai Range), S. S. Krishnamoorthy, here on Thursday.

At least 70 per cent of the fatal accidents accounted for two-wheeler riders, it has come to light.

During the last 24 hours alone, police in Virudhunagar, Theni and Sivaganga districts recorded six fatal cases, in which five were two-wheeler riders, he said.

On Wednesday evening, when a two-wheeler rider was proceeding near Keelarajakularaman area in Virudhunagar district with a pillion rider carrying diesel in a jerry can, he allegedly attempted to overtake a vehicle. In the process, a jeep coming in the opposite direction collided head on, in which the two-wheeler rider and the pillion rider died on the spot, he pointed.

Though there were a number of factors to the incidents, head injuries caused deaths.

“We have been educating the motorists to wear helmets and avoid rash driving”, he replied.

Keeping this in mind, traffic police in the respective jurisdiction had proposed to promote road safety patrol (RSP) in a big way in major towns like Virudhunagar, Srivilliputtur, Sivakasi, Sattur and Rajapalayam by roping in students, Mr Krishnamoorthy said.

Awareness campaigns on “do not talk and drive your vehicle,” “do not drink and drive” and “wear helmets for your safety” would be conducted with the help of traffic wardens, he said.

Following complaints that many vehicles plying on the highways did not display the number plates properly, a drive had been commenced recently.

“We have instructed the motorists to stick to norms as per the Motor Vehicles Act in writing the numbers and any violation would sternly be dealt with.”

Accidents decline

After widening of roads, the number of fatal accidents along the Sattur sub-division in Virudhunagar district had fallen drastically, he said and added that the number of deaths recorded so far this year stood at 7, while it was 35 in 2007, 37 in 2005 and 27 in 2004. “Once the road widening work is completed, the accident rate will drop further,” he hoped.