Rising Cases Of Road Accidents Cause Of Concern In Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Aditya Nath Launches Initiatives To Save Lives
Uttar Pradesh Government Launches Comprehensive Road Safety Initiative to Reduce Accidents and Fatalities
In response to a concerning rise in road accidents across Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched an extensive road safety initiative aimed at curbing fatalities and enhancing emergency response mechanisms. The move comes in light of alarming statistics that highlight the severity of road safety issues in the state.
Rising Road Accident Statistics
The year 2024 witnessed a staggering 46,052 road accidents in Uttar Pradesh, leading to over 24,000 fatalities and approximately 34,600 injuries. The major causes of these incidents were identified as overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, wrong-way driving, jumping traffic signals, and mobile phone usage while driving. These issues underscore the urgent need for a systematic approach to improving road safety and traffic management.
Government’s Multi-Faceted Road Safety Strategy
During a high-level meeting of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Safety Council, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the necessity of urgent intervention to mitigate road mishaps. He directed officials to implement access-controlled highways and establish trauma centers and emergency facilities along expressways to ensure prompt medical assistance for accident victims.
“Every life lost on our roads is a preventable tragedy. Timely medical care, stricter law enforcement, and enhanced infrastructure are critical to reducing fatalities and improving road safety,” the chief minister stated.
To facilitate immediate medical attention, the government plans to establish hospitals and trauma centers along expressways, similar to the layout of food plazas. These medical facilities will be strategically placed to ensure accident victims receive timely treatment, significantly increasing their chances of survival.
Strengthening Law Enforcement and Surveillance
In addition to medical infrastructure improvements, the government has announced stringent measures to regulate traffic and prevent accidents. These include:
- A strict crackdown on unauthorized vehicles, overloaded trucks, and underage e-rickshaw drivers.
- The prohibition of liquor shops along highways and expressways to deter drunk driving.
- The installation of CCTV cameras on all roads under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for better surveillance.
- Increased deployment of cranes, patrolling vehicles, and ambulances to ensure rapid emergency response.
A senior transport department official reaffirmed the government’s commitment to road safety, stating, “The chief minister has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards road safety violations. We are intensifying surveillance, enforcing stricter traffic laws, and leveraging technology to monitor and curb violations effectively.”
Addressing Accident-Prone Black Spots and Enhancing Infrastructure
One of the top priorities of the initiative is identifying and rectifying accident-prone areas, commonly referred to as black spots. Measures to enhance pedestrian safety and improve road design include:
- Construction of foot overbridges at critical locations.
- Installation of tabletop speed breakers near schools, hospitals, and busy marketplaces.
- Introduction of traffic safety education into school curricula to instill awareness from an early age.
Furthermore, the chief minister has ordered a rigorous verification process for e-rickshaw drivers to ensure only licensed individuals operate these vehicles. Additionally, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) will undergo reforms to eliminate corruption, enhance efficiency, and improve transparency in issuing driving licenses and vehicle permits.
Focus on High-Risk Districts
Data analysis has identified 20 districts in Uttar Pradesh that account for a significant percentage of road fatalities. These high-risk districts include:
- Hardoi
- Mathura
- Agra
- Lucknow
- Bulandshahr
- Kanpur Nagar
- Prayagraj
- Sitapur
- Unnao
- Barabanki
- Lakhimpur Kheri
- Bareilly
- Aligarh
- Gautam Buddha Nagar
- Shahjahanpur
- Gorakhpur
- Kushinagar
- Badaun
- Meerut
- Bijnor
The primary reasons for high accident rates in these districts include high-speed traffic, congested roads, poor law enforcement, and highways cutting through densely populated areas. The government aims to mitigate risks in these districts through increased patrolling, better road engineering, and stricter compliance with traffic regulations.
Engineering Improvements and Periodic Review Meetings
A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) emphasized the importance of road infrastructure in preventing accidents. “Our primary focus is on making roads safer. Expressways will now be equipped with trauma centers and hospitals on both sides to provide immediate medical aid to accident victims. Additionally, road engineering improvements will be made to minimize accident risks,” the official stated.
To ensure the effective implementation of safety measures, the government has mandated monthly district-level road safety committee meetings and quarterly divisional reviews. Trained personnel from the civil police, PRD, and Home Guard will also be deployed to assist in traffic management and law enforcement.
Expected Impact and Future Goals
Officials believe these enhanced road safety measures will significantly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in Uttar Pradesh. By combining stricter law enforcement, improved medical infrastructure, advanced technology, and public awareness campaigns, the government aims to make the state’s highways and expressways safer for commuters.
With consistent monitoring and proactive intervention, Uttar Pradesh is set to make significant strides in road safety, ensuring a secure and efficient transport system for all citizens.
