Eighteen per cent of road accidents in the district resulted in death from January to October this year. As many as 329 people lost their lives behind the wheel during the said time period.
According to statistics provided the traffic police department, in total 1,821 accidents in the district in 2013 till October, more than 1,170 people were injured. “Because of several external factors and pressure, the traffic department is unable to act strictly against people who do not wear helmets or seat belts,” said traffic officer Tikelal Bhoi.
It may be noted that neither safety measures like helmet nor seatbelt is mandatory in the district. Though the traffic department organises awareness programmes every year, citizens are rarely seen adhering to road safety. The highest number of deaths was seen in the month of May when the toll reached 44.
“All deaths in road accidents are not necessarily caused by head injury, however, it cannot be overlooked that helmets save many lives as it protects the most important part of our body,” said neurosurgeon Dr Rajan Tiwari.
least number of deaths because of road accidents, 18, occurred in the month of August while most number of people, 181, were injured in January in road accidents. Thirty eight people were killed in road accidents in October while 35 lost their lives in September.