Pune Roads Witness Alarming Pattern: 530 Fatalities in 18 Months
Pune, 23 August 2023: In a disconcerting trend, Pune’s city roads have become the backdrop for an average of three accidents per day, leading to at least one fatality and two injuries each time, as stated by the local traffic police. A staggering 530 lives have been lost in road accidents within the past 18 months. Concerned citizens attribute this surge in fatalities to the alarming lack of adherence to safety protocols.
Following the post-lockdown period, the city witnessed an unprecedented surge in vehicle ownership, with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) reporting a staggering 36 lakh vehicle registrations. Among these, 26.87 lakh were two-wheelers, while a notable 4.25 lakh new two-wheelers were added to the existing count over the past year and a half. Sadly, road accidents involving two-wheelers also exhibited a sharp escalation, consequently leading to a higher death toll, as reported by the traffic police.
Data from the traffic branch reveals that in 2022 alone, a total of 872 accidents marred the city’s roads, causing 315 fatalities. This disturbing trend persisted into the first half of 2023, with 638 accidents occurring, 192 of which resulted in fatalities claiming 202 lives.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vijay Kumar Magar expressed deep concern over the surge in accidents and fatalities, attributing them to blatant violations of traffic norms and disregard for road safety. Magar stressed the collaborative approach taken with the Pune Municipal Corporation and other departments to significantly curtail the incidents of accidents and subsequent loss of life.
An in-depth analysis conducted by the traffic police exposed that the majority of accidents are a result of sheer negligence on the part of drivers. From riding triple seat to flouting no-entry regulations, unauthorized use of BRT lanes, breaching road dividers, taking abrupt turns, and neglecting to wear helmets, a host of reckless behaviors have fueled the surge in road accidents and the resulting fatalities.
