An accident report compiled by the Eastern Regional Traffic Police Office (ERTPO) in Itahari shows that as many as 188 people lost their lives in different road accidents that took place in districts of the eastern region over the last 180 days -- in the first six months of the current fiscal year 2012/13.[break]
Month-wise road accident data shows 29 people died in Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), 31 in Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September), 36 in Ashwin (mid-September to mid-October), 37 in Kartik (mid-October to mid-November), 26 in Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December) and 29 till January 10 in the region.
Even though the ERTPO claims that there has been decrease in road accidents after the campaign against drink driving, the rate of accidents involving heavy vehicles has not decreased. But the drive has brought down the number of accidents involving motorcycles and other light vehicles, the report says.
Meanwhile, the number of injured in road accident is eight times higher than the number of deceased during the six-month period. ERTPO data shows a total of 1,686 people were injured during the period. Likewise, 11 animals were killed and 36 injured in road accidents.
Similarly, during a one year period starting mid-April 2011 to mid-March 2012, a total of 357 people died and 2,969 were injured in the region, according to ERTPO.
However, Sushil Bhandari, the chief of ERTPO in Itahari states that the number of vehicles and passengers have now increased significantly compared to the past, so it is wrong to say that road accidents have not decreased.
"Due to geographical difficulties in the hills, vehicles often tumble down killing and injuring people. But in the Tarai, accidents have decreased markedly," added Bhandari.
He also said the recent accidents in the Tarai are due to the foggy weather when visibility is very poor.
The traffic police office is planning to place traffic-related awareness hoarding boards along the highways in the upcoming days.
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