Sir,
The track record of accidents in India is replete with violation of traffic norms as most accidents happen due to speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and overtaking resulting in head-on collisions. Odisha is ranked 13th in the list among the States as per an All India report in 2017 for most road accidents. The recent private bus accident at Cuttack claiming more than 10 lives is reported to be due to over-speeding.
It is not surprising for the statistics show that in India nearly 80 per cent of drivers have poor driving skills which tantamount to inferring that drivers are virtually given licence to kill. It is a sad reflection of the failure of the authorities concerned in the State that despite the Supreme Court issuing several instructions over the years, there does not appear to be matching action and serious commitment to set up a system to stem accidents from happening. It not only results in trauma to the relatives and friends of the accident victims but also a national economic loss.
K Ravi, E-237, GGP Colony, Bhubaneswar-751025, Mob: 9437616497