On since Jan 1, Road Safety Week witnesses eight fatal accidents; 2010 statistics show 88% of mishaps caused by drivers who did not go to college
On since Jan 1, Road Safety Week witnesses eight fatal accidents; 2010 statistics show 88% of mishaps caused by drivers who did not go to college
The issuance of driving licences to "uneducated" people by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is becoming a cause of concern for the traffic police. If statistics are to be believed, 88 per cent of the total accidents that took place in 2010 were caused by drivers whose education did not exceed Std XII.
This year, the Road Safety Week that was launched on January 1 witnessed eight fatal accidents, in which four pedestrians and four bikers lost their lives. The police say that driving habits and education ufffd at least as far as basic civic sense goes ufffd of drivers should be taken into account by the RTO while issuing licences.
Education profile
Last year saw 1,902 accidents, of which 430 were fatal. Among these accidents, 475 were serious and 851 minor. The death toll was 459 people, and 567 were seriously injured, while 1,148 suffered minor injuries in these accidents.
Drivers educated up to Std VIII were responsible for 657 accidents, of which 160 were fatal, claiming 173 lives. Drivers educated till Std X contributed to 59 accidents, in which 14 were fatal, killing 14 people.
No less than 967 accidents were caused by drivers educated up to Std XII, resulting in 210 fatal accidents that caused 223 deaths.
Drivers who were graduates were responsible for 213 accidents, of which 46 were fatal accidents, claiming 44 lives. Drivers with post-graduate qualifications were involved in only three accidents, in which eight people received minor injuries.
Accident locations
Areas in and around schools and colleges saw 66 accidents, in which 16 people died. The vicinity of religious places saw 93 accidents, industrial areas 101, and office neighbourhoods 157. Residential areas reported 1,029 accidents in 2010.
'Need civic sense'
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil said, "The education profile of drivers is an important factor and needs to be considered seriously. Basically, the driver needs to be sensitive about other people's safety besides his own, and higher education is expected to cultivate that civic sense in individuals. In some cases, though, it has been observed that educated people may also not have that civic sense and thus they become responsible for accidents."
Patil added, "The driving licence issuing process is known to be faulty, and it needs an overhaul. But this reformation will be a long-term process and not a single-day activity. Road Safety Week awareness drives are a part of such measures undertaken by traffic police."
Driver comfort
Patil said, "Most high-end vehicle manufacturers take care of the driver's comfort, but manufacturers of trucks, buses, tempos, taxis and rickshaws do not consider ergonomics to be so important. Uncomfortable seating arrangement for drivers is also a major factor behind accidents, especially with heavy vehicles."
He added, "It has also been observed that after a person is issued a licence he drives careful initially. But after four to five years he becomes overconfident and starts driving negligently. Many accidents which we have analysed had an experienced but overconfident driver."
Social activist Vivek Velankar said, "The driving profession lacks credibility and drivers are grossly underpaid. They are made to work extra hours. Being away from family for many days makes them addicted to various drugs. All these factors are also behind accidents and therefore this profession should get credibility so that good persons join it. Just being educated does not mean that the driver has civic sense. Many highly educated people lack this essential thing."
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