Two-wheelers and lorries caused 42% of accidents - TOI, Chennai

CHENNAI: Two-wheelers, followed by lorries, caused the maximum number of fatal accidents in the city in 2010. Together, they contributed to 42% of the accidents reported last year. 




In spite of vehicle population in the city increasing by approximately 10% every year, the number of accidents has been brought down due to the steps taken by the traffic enforcement wing in the city police.

The total number of accidents reported in the city is 629, 618 and 621 in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. Likewise, 5,774 non-fatal accidents were reported in the year 2008. At least 4,575 persons were injured in 2009 and 4,529 were injured in 2010 in various accident.

According to police statistics, cars (15%), unknown vehicles (12%), MTC buses (11%), vans (8 %), autorickshaws (4%), private buses (2%), SETC buses (1%) and other vehicles (6%) caused road accidents in the city.

At least 43 % of all fatal accidents involved a vehicle and a pedestrian, indicating the need for improving facilities for pedestrians in the city. According to police, about 30% of all fatal accidents are due to rear-end collision between vehicles. "Mixed traffic on roads is the main cause. Small vehicles jostle for space on roads and are hit by bigger vehicles from behind," a senior police officer said.

Maximum number of pedestrians are killed and injured by motorcyclists. Fifty-five percent of pedestrian-victims are killed after sunset (6 pm-6 am) and the remaining 45% in broad day light (6 am -6 pm).

"The statistics highlight the need for providing large number of subways / skywalks/ foot overbridges/ zebra markings with bright street lights. The number of cases booked for violating traffic increased by 10% in 2010 as against the year 2009. More attention was given to motorcycle and four wheelers. The focus was on charging those violations which bring in road discipline like over speed, signal violation, no parking and stop line violation," another traffic police officer said.

Read more: Two-wheelers and lorries caused 42% of accidents - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Two-wheelers-and-lorries-caused-42-of-accidents/articleshow/7300524.cms#ixzz1BGpvIFCQ