In a troubling revelation, Jammu’s road safety statistics show that 88 people died and over 1,000 individuals were injured in road accidents across four districts—Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch—in 2023. This grim data emerged from the first seven months of the year, prompting the Traffic Police Rural Jammu to initiate an intensive drive against violations, particularly targeting two-wheeler riders who accounted for 44 percent of these crashes.
The special enforcement campaign, running from September 1 to 14, aimed to reduce the alarming trend of accidents involving two-wheelers, which have become a significant concern according to traffic statistics. An official from the Traffic Police revealed that a shocking total of 8,675 violators faced penalties during the operation.
Analyzing road accident data from January 1 to July 31, the report highlighted a concerning total of 699 accidents across the four districts. Furthermore, records indicate two-wheelers played a crucial role in 309 of these incidents, accounting for nearly half of all accidents.
Among the documented cases, two-wheelers were involved in 39 fatal accidents, resulting in the deaths of numerous riders and passengers. Notably, 384 individuals suffered injuries due to two-wheeler-related incidents.
The analysis further emphasized the link between road conditions and accidents, revealing that of the total two-wheeler crashes, 102 occurred on national highways and 210 on other roads, illustrating the widespread danger posed by unsafe riding practices.
Worryingly, the statistics pointed out that 27 percent of accident victims were younger than 26 years. Out of the total 699 road accidents recorded, a staggering 445 incidents (approximately 64 percent) involved single vehicles, predominantly two-wheelers.
In response to these alarming figures, the Traffic Police Rural Jammu launched the comprehensive awareness campaign to promote road safety. The drive included strict enforcement against violators, aiming to deter unsafe riding habits and educate the public on traffic laws.
Throughout the campaign, law enforcement issued 8,675 challans, of which 5,767 were for riders without helmets. Additionally, authorities penalized 1,152 pillion riders for helmet violations and issued 1,106 fines for instances of triple riding, highlighting significant lapses in safety practices among commuters.
Moreover, traffic enforcement addressed other critical violations, including 188 cases of using mobile phones while driving, 260 instances of dangerous driving, and 146 cases of drivers lacking valid licenses. Notably, three minors faced consequences for illegally operating two-wheelers, leading to the seizure of their vehicles.
In total, 187 vehicles were confiscated during this enforcement drive for various violations. The proactive approach also included conducting 267 awareness programs at educational institutions, bus stands, and public spaces, focused on promoting road safety norms.
Furthermore, traffic authorities organized on-road safety counseling sessions in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Deploying canopies for direct interactions with road users, they adopted a novel approach emphasizing dialogue over penalties, encouraging safe driving practices without issuing challans.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser, announced plans for similar initiatives targeting other vehicles, such as Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs). He urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations while warning of continued stringent measures against traffic violations aimed at promoting public safety.
The persistent rise in road accidents poses a significant challenge to public safety in Jammu. Authorities strive to mitigate these incidents through rigorous enforcement campaigns and awareness initiatives, focusing particularly on safeguarding the lives of young riders who form a large segment of accident victims.
