Poor condition of roads in Bangalore has been identified as one of the important factors for the increasing number of road accidents. Around 14 to 15 road accidents occur every day with the maximum number going up to 25.
The figures for the city are a tad better than in New Delhi and Chennai.
Road accidents have been identified as leading cause of death for persons aged between 15 and 29 in the city. These findings are part of a report prepared by the Bangalore City Traffic Police (BCTP), which was released to the media here on Friday based on data collected from 2011 to 2013.
After Chennai and Delhi, Bangalore witnessed the highest number of road accidents in the country during this period. 2013 saw as many as 5,230 accidents, of which 737 were fatal with two-wheelers accounting for most accidents. Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians have been categorised as vulnerable road users (VRUs) and they are the victims of most accidents. Interestingly, accidents involving cars reduced in 2013 in comparison with that of previous two years.
Dangerous
As per the study, more accidents were reported during the weekends (particularly Saturdays) and during the evening and late night hours.
The traffic police have identified 10 ‘blackspots’, which are accident-prone areas. These include stretches of roads in Krishnarajapuram , Madiwala, Electronics City, Kamakshipalya, Peenya, Kumaraswamy Layout, Banaswadi and Byatarayanapura, and Chikkajala on the city outskirts.
Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachau said the in-depth analysis provided in the report would go a long way in devising means of reducing traffic accidents. “Bangalore’s vehicular population has increased rapidly in a short span of time. This report will help us examine the issues of road safety.”
Causes and measures
The police study looked at causative factors of accidents such as condition of roads, regulation, and road user behaviour and traffic characteristics. The condition of medians, footpath, gradients, carriageway width and traffic volume are some of the ‘crash-related factors’ cited in the report.
