According to Tripura Director General of Police, Anurag, over-speeding is the leading cause of road traffic accidents in the state, accounting for a staggering 90% of all incidents. Speaking at an event where 16 ambulances were distributed and a Vehicle Location Tracking and Monitoring System was inaugurated, Anurag highlighted the concerning trend of more deaths from road accidents compared to murders in Tripura.
Anurag emphasized the importance of road safety, stating that in India, one person dies every 3.5 minutes due to road traffic accidents. Last year in Tripura, two people died every three days in road accidents, but this year, the rate has improved slightly to two people dying every four days. Despite the decrease in accidents by 10%, the state still sees a higher number of deaths from road accidents compared to murder cases.
The DGP outlined the 4E theory – Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Services – as crucial components for road safety. He commended the efforts of Tripura Police and the Traffic Unit in implementing these strategies to reduce accidents and fatalities.
Anurag revealed that last year saw a 13% decrease in road traffic accident deaths compared to 2023, and this year, until June, deaths have decreased by 30%. He attributed a majority of accidents to over-speeding, with 71% of accidents nationally and 90% in Tripura being caused by this factor. Other contributing factors include intoxication, poor vehicle condition, and failure to follow traffic rules.
Highlighting the demographic most affected by road accidents, Anurag noted that around 66% of victims are youths aged between 18 and 45. He pointed out that in the previous year, 226 people died in road accidents, surpassing the number of murder cases which stood at 116.
In conclusion, the DGP urged all citizens to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to prevent further deaths and injuries on the roads. He emphasized the need for collective efforts from all departments in Tripura to prioritize road safety and reduce the number of road traffic accidents in the state.
