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The official data released on Tuesday also showed that two-wheelers were responsible for nearly one-fourth of the total fatalities in all crashes.While two-wheelers are vulnerable, they also claimed the highest number of pedestrian lives lost inroad accidents – 9,316 or 28% of all pedestrians killed.
Similarly, 27,615 victims of two-wheeler deaths were involved in crashes with another two-wheeler. Overall, 47,171 fatalities were attributed to the fault of two-wheeler riders, the government report said. The data also show that at least 1.2 lakh pedestrians and two-wheeler occupants received grievous injuries last year. “The government data doesn’t capture the impact of injuries on the victims and their families. We also need to put focus on the number of victims injured seriously,” said transport road safety expert Anil Chhikara.
As per the report on the state-wise data, Tamil Nadu reported the maximum number of two-wheeler occupants deaths at 11,140 last year, followed by Maharashtra (7,733) and Uttar Pradesh (6,959). In the case of pedestrian deaths, Tamil Nadu recorded 4,427 fatalities, followed by Bihar (3,345) and West Bengal (2,938).
Speed kills. The data underlines this hard truth again. It also underscores the life-saving value of wearing a helmet and putting on a seatbelt. Sadly, it underlines how jumping red lights and using mobiles phones while driving can have fatal consequences. The data also highlights the importance of repairing potholes, which too can be killers on expressways. Digitising the traffic management system nationwide can help reduce the problem. The electronic eye is the surest and safest way to catch offenders.
While two-wheelers have been the cheapest mode of private transport, these hardly have any external protection for occupants in case of a crash. Experts say that the only option to curb crashes involving two-wheelers is to segregate them from other traffic.
Ashim Sanyal, CEO of Consumer VOICE, which advocates for road safety, said, “The spotlight of the report is on increasing casualty numbers of vulnerable road users. Not a single state has had a positive impact on saving lives on roads through their preventive measures. It’s time for introspection for all concerned about how to achieve 50% reduction in road deaths by 2030.”
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