Pedestrian deaths on city roads down by 20%
The number of pedestrian deaths has gone down by over 20% in the Capital this year. A total of 492 pedestrians lost their lives on city roads till August 15, this year; last year, the figure stood at 635.
The number of pedestrian deaths has gone down by over 20% in the Capital this year. A total of 492 pedestrians lost their lives on city roads till August 15, this year; last year, the figure stood at 635.
Delhi traffic police claimed that the decline was the result of scientific measures they had used with the help of road-owning civic agencies.
“This is a substantial drop in pedestrian fatalities. In the first seven-and-a-half months, the city roads registered 143 less pedestrian deaths as compared to the same period last year,” said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).
The measures include setting up of pedestrian signals, speed breakers, speed-calming rumble strips, road signages, reduction in speed limit and extensive speed checks of vehicles with the help of interceptors.
Roads where pedestrian deaths have shown a steep decline include Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, GT Karnal Road, Rohtak Road, Mathura Road and National Highway 24.
“Of the 20 roads which recorded the highest pedestrian deaths last year, the fatality figures have gone down on 19,” Garg said.
Last year, the Delhi traffic police had failed to meet its target of keeping road deaths below 2,000. The loss of 2,066 lives in road accidents last year, though the lowest in last seven years, could have been kept below 2,000 had there been adequate pedestrian facilities, said Delhi Police.
“Almost every second person killed in a road accident last year was a pedestrian,” said an official.
The traffic police had conducted a scientific survey on the killer stretches, identified shortcomings in pedestrian facilities and addressed many of them.
A series of meetings were conducted, in which it was suggested that certain short-term and long-term interventions be carried out to reduce pedestrian accidents.
“We have already taken short term measures which resulted in a steep fall in pedestrian deaths. We are confident that this year we will be able to make a record by keeping road deaths below 1,800,” said joint commissioner of police (traffic).