New Delhi: Roads were much safer in Jan this year than the previous year. A spatial analysis of accidents conducted by Delhi Traffic Police has revealed that there was a dip of 15% in fatal crashes this Jan than in the corresponding period in 2023. Similarly, there was a massive dip of 36.4% in accidents this year wherein there was no injury to life.
Hit-and-run cases or accidents by “unknown vehicles” have also come down this Jan compared to last year. Forty-seven such accidents have taken place this year against 50 accidents last year. Last Jan, 51 people were killed by unknown vehicles and the figure was 47 this Jan, the data compiled by the police shows. Scrutiny of data of “day and night accidents” revealed that most of the simple crashes occurred during the day, while fatal crashes took place more during the night.
According to police’s data, 99 deaths took place in 97 accidents this month against 116 deaths in 114 fatal accidents last Jan. Similarly, 394 people were injured in accidents this year so far against 423 last year in Jan.
Heavy transport or good vehicles caused 10 deaths in 9 accidents this Jan compared to 14 deaths in as many accidents last year in the same time period. In 16 accidents, which caused 17 deaths, cars were at fault. The figures were almost the same last year.
“Delhi Traffic Police has initiated a range of measures to curb the situation, resulting in a reduction in both daytime and nighttime crashes. This clearly demonstrates its commitment to the safety of road users,” special commissioner (traffic) HGS Dhaliwal said.
According to Dhaliwal, the goal of the analysis was to determine Delhi’s accident-prone areas and identify local risk factors that were responsible for these black patches. “Road traffic injuries are a serious public health issue. They also have a significant socio-economic impact on society being one of the main causes of hospital visits, disability and mortality. It is in the top ten causes of fatalities and disabilities,” said Dhaliwal.
“The objective of the analysis was to ascertain specific corrective actions based on these factors. The primary duty of Delhi Traffic Police is to ensure the efficient and secure flow of traffic on Delhi’s roads. It works to reduce traffic accidents in addition to overseeing traffic laws on Delhi’s roadways,” he added.
