In 43% mishaps in Himachal, riders found without licence

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 22

In Himachal Pradesh, riders without valid licence have been behind 43.5 per cent of the total accidents involving two-wheelers till September this year.

Regular checks now

The focus is now on regular checking of licence and compliance to traffic rules. — Sanjay Kundu, DGP

• 131 die from Jan to Sept
• 384 Accidents
• 392 Vehicles involved
• 131 Deaths
• 231 Injured

As per the state police’s data, as many as 131 persons riding two-wheelers died and 231 sustained serious injuries in 384 road accidents from January to September. Of the total mishaps during the period, in 167 cases (43.5 per cent) the riders did not possess a valid licence. In four cases, the riders had learner’s licence and in two, it was expired.

In 67.4 per cent of the cases, mostly youth were involved between the age group of 16 and 30. In as many as 131 accidents, the youth were in the age group of 21 to 25; in 67 mishaps, the age group was 26 to 30 and in 61 cases, the youth aged between 16 and 20 were involved.

Kangra and Una reported the maximum casualties (24 each), followed by Baddi and Sirmuar (17 each), Mandi (11) and Kullu (10). The highest number of 82 accidents took place in Kangra, followed by Sirmaur (57) and Una (51).

The data further reveals that in 220 accidents (57.3 per cent), the riders were not wearing helmets, while in 36 cases, they were under the influence of alcohol.

Further, 164 accidents took place on national highways, 96 on link roads, 90 on state highways, 20 on major district and city roads and nine on village roads. As many as 155 accidents occurred during 6 pm and 12 am and 112 between 9 am and 3 pm.

DGP Sanjay Kundu said alcometers were being used to keep a check on drunken driving as the number of fatalities in accidents involving two-wheelers is quite high.

Police sources said the issuance of challans for riding without helmet and driving licence was being reviewed on a weekly basis.