Chandigarh only behind Indore in curbing road accidents

Chandigarh is only behind Indore among the cities with million-plus population when it comes to curbing the number of accidents in 2023, according to the latest “‘Road Accidents in India 2023” report released by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently.

From 237 accidents in Chandigarh in 2022, the number came down to 182 in 2023 — a 23.2% decrease in the million-plus cities category. In Indore, road mishaps fell from 4,680 to 3,566 — a 23.8% decrease. Vizag or Visakhapatnam (15.5%), Bhopal (12.3%) and Kanpur (5.3%) are the other top-five cities to have reduced the number of accidents.

The Chandigarh roads witnessed 182 accidents in 2023, of which 64 were fatal, two led to grievous injuries and 95 caused minor injuries. No one was injured in 21 accidents.

Among the dead were 28 pedestrians,12 cyclists, 21 two-wheeler riders, one auto-rickshaw driver, three LMV drivers and two in others category.

Over the past four years, the city has managed to reduce the fatal accidents considerably. The UT witnessed 50 fatal accidents (53 deaths) in 2020, 94 (96 deaths) in 2021, 79 (83 deaths) in 2022 and 64 (67 deaths) in 2023, earning it the 32nd rank in a list of 36 states and UTs for the number of fatal accidents.

There were 16 hit-and-run incidents in which six victims died. Two persons died in two accidents involving parked vehicles. In 48 accidents, 24 people died as they were hit from behind. Twentytwo victims died in 92 accidents as they were hit from side. In three incidents of vehicles overturning, two persons lost their life. Ten persons died in 15 head-on collision. Six people died in accidents on four arm junctions, while five were killed at staggered crossings.

Seven accidents took place at roundabouts, leaving one victim dead and five injured. As many as 33 accidents took place at traffic light points, in which 10 people were killed.

Punjab recorded 4,516 fatal accidents in 2023, out of the total 46,269 mishaps. Haryana recorded 10,463 accidents, of which 46,52 were fatal. Himachal Pradesh witnessed 2,253 mishaps with 727 proving fatal.