Kerala likely to witness 7.8 per cent spurt in road accident deaths

KOCHI: Should the authorities fail to intervene quickly to curtail the number of deaths on roads, the state is likely to witness a 7.8 per cent spurt in accident deaths by 2020, says a study.The study - conducted by the Mumbai-based NMIMS University’s Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering in consultation with the All India Professionals Congress (AIPC), Kerala chapter - predicts that 4,453 deaths will be reported within two years if the current trend continues. As per records with the Kerala Police, a total of 38,470  accidents were reported in 2017, including 4,131 deaths.

In 2018, the study says 39,205 accidents will be reported, leading to 4,290 deaths. The 2019 figures will rise to 39,581 accidents and 4,371 deaths while 2020 will see 39,958 accidents and 4,453 deaths. The state is likely to witness an increase of 3.86 per cent in the number of accidents.January, the study found, registers the most number of accident cases while July has registers the least. “The Sabarimala pilgrimage season can be attributed as a reason for the higher number of cases in January,” said the report. As per the study, the state witnessed the maximum number of road accidents and deaths between 10 am and 11 am and 6 pm and 7 pm, considered peak office timings. Two-wheelers accounted for the maximum number of accidents, followed by cars and jeeps.

“Even though Malappuram has the highest population compared to any other district in Kerala, Ernakulam accounted for the maximum number of road accidents and deaths. This is mainly due to the fact that Ernakulam has higher per capita income and, hence, the number of vehicles,” it said. 

The study gives several suggestions, including urging companies to look at flexible work hour policies and ensuring pillion riders wear helmets. It also stressed upon imparting an awareness drive on lane discipline and prevention of rash driving by private buses. AIPC president Mathew Kuzhalnadan said the government, along with corporate and private establishments, should implement flexible timings in offices to put an end to the mad rush during peak hours.

“We will submit this report to the Transport Minister, Transport Commissioner and, if possible, to the Chief Minister,” he said. The AIPC, he said, had taken the initiative to shed light on such a major issue by taking an unconventional route.“Rather than creating unnecessary controversies, we are focused on creative activities with the participation of professionals,” he said.

Meera Sankar, the Project Lead, said, “We chose to undertake this project as the rising number of road accidents is certainly a cause for worry. We deployed various advanced data analytics tools for the study. The companies in Kerala should set an example for other states by adopting a flexible work hour policy which will help reduce the peak hour traffic and also accidents.”The predictive analysis study is authored by Meera Sankar and Samira Fursule under the guidance of Sarada Samantaray, Associate Dean, Academics, NMIMS University.