The Traffic Police have said that there has been a 35% decline in the number of fatal road accidents in the city so far this year as compared with the figures in 2015.
Amitesh Kumar, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), attributed the improvement in road safety to the traffic police’s e-challan system. He said, “In the first five months of this year, there has been a 35% drop in the number of fatalities compared with 2015. Our long-term goal is to eliminate accidents entirely in the black spots, which are accident-prone areas in the city, by imposing speed limits.”
Mr. Kumar was speaking at the launch of ‘Street Smart, Street Safe’, a initiative by BBC TopGear India to make the city’s roads safer. Special Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime) Brijesh Singh, Special IG (Prevention of Atrocities Against Women and Children) Krishna Prakash, State Transport Commissioner Shekhar Channe, and actor Mandira Bedi were present at the event, which also dealt with cyber security and women’s safety.
Mr. Channe said, “In the State, Mumbai sees the third highest number of road accidents as per the statistics recorded in 2015. However, 70% of the deaths actually take place in rural areas. Deaths on highways contribute to more than 50% of the fatalities. We are looking to bring in stricter tests for issuing driving licences and better safety standards for vehicles on our streets.”
Ms. Bedi said the e-challan system was an effective traffic law enforcement measure. She said, “My driver has over nine e-challans to his name just because of this system. We are grateful to the authorities because the challans have made him a safe driver today. He follows all the traffic rules now.”
Aided by technology
The e-challan system was introduced in the city in November 2016 to pave the way for cashless fines and to do away with confiscating the vehicles of errant drivers. The e-challans were issued to cell phone numbers of the drivers registered with the Regional Transport Office.
The introduction of high-tech speed cameras equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition software has helped the traffic police track down and penalise drivers involved in speeding and rash driving.
Mr. Singh warned about the dangers lurking online. He said, “ Just as we change our tyres periodically, it is important to change our passwords and keep our cyber security up to date.”