THE National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways on Saturday said that at least 1,552 people were killed and 3,039 others injured in 1,495 road accidents across the country in last four months between January and April this year.
It said, 411 people, including 53 women and 71 children, lost lives and 725 others were injured in 383 accidents in January. Some 401 accidents occurred in February where 415 people were killed and 884 others injured. Among the deceased, 58 were women and 62 children. In March, 386 people, including 46 women and 82 children, were killed and 820 others were injured in 384 road crashes. Some 327 accidents occurred in April killing 340 people and injuring 610 others. Among the deceased, 38 were women and 53 children. The above numbers do not lie. What we see that the frequency of road accidents has increased dramatically, causing the death and injury of thousands of people each year in the country.
NCPSRR identified 10 major reasons for an increase in road accidents. These include – racing tendency among drivers and reckless driving, contractual leasing of vehicles on daily basis, employing drivers without licenses, lack of awareness of pedestrians and small vehicle drivers, especially motorcyclists, overloading and overtaking tendency of drivers violating traffic rules. Besides, driving without any brake, plying of unfit vehicles, violation of traffic rules on long routes, increase of motorcycles and three-wheelers on Roads and Highways, and carrying passengers and goods in locally-made motorised vehicles also lead to accidents, the NCPSRR officials said.
We must take it under consideration that, a fatal road accident creates adverse impact on many families – that means on the lives of innocent children, men, and women. Besides, if anyone is severely injured, his life becomes full of agony. There are numerous unregistered vehicles, unlicensed drivers those are responsible for accidents. Even so, the authorities concerned have not yet taken any fruitful measures. Why not they take appropriate steps so that no more lives are lost for these senseless reasons?
