Traffic police identifies 45 accident-prone spots in city

Mumbai: The Mumbai traffic police has identified over 45 accident-prone spots in the city in the wake of an increase in the number of fatal accidents. With most accidents taking place on the Western Express Highway and Eastern Express Highway, the traffic police has collaborated with road engineers for solutions that will enhance the road with rumblers. Mumbai is fifth among the top 10 cities with the highest number of fatal accidents.

Amitesh Kumar, joint commissioner of police (traffic), said, “We are working in collaboration with the concerned agencies that are in the process of fitting road rumblers and guard rails for smooth driving and prevention of fatal accidents.”

A senior traffic police official on condition of anonymity said that primarily, most of the accidents that took place on roads occured due to human error. He added that it was very easy to pin the blame on the bad condition of roads, which was not to say that the roads were well maintained. To tackle the number of accidents taking place on a daily basis, the police were resorting to engineering solutions like installing road rumblers and guard rails on the side of the road that could stop tyres from going any further on the sides.

The official added, “It often so happens that the driver dozes off along a stretch. In these instances, the rumbler strips can be helpful. However, a driver should be very careful.”

The police has observed that a majority of accidents take place on the WEH and EEH when vehicles are over-speeding. Hence, they have started nakabandi near the highways to keep check on driving speeds.

The number of fatal accidents in Mumbai spiked in 2017, when compared to corresponding data in 2016. In 2016, a total 467 deaths were recorded , while the number in 2017 rose to 497.