Over 180 accidents reported this year

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 31

Two road accidents involving private buses within a week have become a cause of worry for the police who have been struggling hard to prevent fatal mishaps in the district.

A few days ago, a woman was killed while 25 others suffered injuries when a private bus met with a accident on the Sundernagar-Gharlidahr route. On Monday, 74 persons were injured when an overcrowded 42-seater bus (carrying 74 passengers) rolled down a hill. The spurt in road accidents has been attributed to overcrowding, rash and negligent driving, use of loudspeakers and music system.

Data procured from the Police Department revealed that more than 180 road accidents were reported this year. Eighty persons were killed while more than 400 sustained injuries. To prevent such mishaps, the district police launched a special drive to create awareness about road safety, but the response was not as expected.

Superintendent of Police, Mandi, Prem Kumar Thakur said despite strict vigil, offenders managed to flee. He said the police were challaning traffic violators.

Apart from this, the poor condition of local routes also accounts for accidents, especially in the rainy season.