Taking a step towards promoting evidence-based actions to prevent and
eventually stop road traffic deaths and injuries and spreading awareness about
road safety, Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya is on a Statewide
bike rally.
The rally, titled Path Suraksha Jan Andolan, began on World Day of
Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
“Sharing some glimpses from Day 2 of Path Suraksha Jan Andolan Bike Rally
in Guwahati. I am riding till Goalapara today in line with our motive of
reiterating the message of Hon’ble CM Dr Himanta Biswa dangoriya about raising
awareness on road safety,” the Minister posted on X.
“I will be travelling across all the constituencies of Assam to promote
road safety awareness,” he added.
The rally includes awareness meetings with stakeholders, government
officials, students, drivers and the public to sensitise them on the importance
of road safety and instil a sense of responsibility among citizens.
From January to October this year, Assam recorded 6,001 accidents,
leading to 2,606 deaths, the state transport department data showed.
The top five districts with the highest deaths recorded during this
period were Kamrup (Rural), Kamrup (Metro), Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Goalpara, the
data showed.
Notably, 40.89 per cent of accidents took place between 15:00 and 21:00
hours, with 40 per cent of those happening on national highways.
Also, 76 per cent of accidents took place in open spaces, residential
zones, and market areas, it showed.
Data shows that in 2021, 78.88 per cent of total deaths occurred within
the 18 to 45 age group, representing the most active segment of the population.
In the same year, pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users accounted
for 28 per cent of crash victims, underscoring the vulnerability of these road
users, it added.
A whopping 60 per cent of crashes involve two-wheelers and four-wheelers,
emphasizing the urgent need for targeted safety measures. Adding to the
concern, heavy vehicles, like buses and trucks, contribute to 8 per cent of the
total crashes on these highways.
On the other hand, speeding tops the list at 68 per cent of accidents,
followed by driving on the wrong side (7.12 per cent), drunken driving (9.14 per
cent), mobile phone use (3.60 per cent), red light jumping (1.52 per cent), and
10.84 per cent attributed to various other causes, the data showed.
NE Watch Desk
