Jamshedpur: 24 Dead, 14 Injured in 31 road accidents in April

Jamshedpur: A total of 31 road accidents have been reported in East Singhbhum during April so far, claiming 24 lives and leaving 14 others injured, prompting the district administration to intensify road safety and traffic enforcement measures across the district.

The alarming figures came to light during a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee and Traffic Management held at the Collectorate Auditorium under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan. During the review, officials observed that nearly 90 percent of the accidents were caused by violations of traffic rules, speeding, drunk driving, and failure to use helmets and seat belts.

Ranjan issued directives to identify accident-prone zones along National and State Highways and to ensure the implementation of necessary safety measures at these locations. He instructed the concerned departments to install rumble strips, radium reflectors, crash barriers, and sliding barriers; to repair streetlights; to identify “black spots” (accident hotspots) and undertake corrective actions; and to conduct regular inspection drives to curb over-speeding.

Prioritizing the safety of school children above all else, Ranjan announced that a special inspection drive targeting school transport vehicles (vans and auto-rickshaws) would be launched following the conclusion of the summer vacation. The use of vehicles lacking fitness certificates or permits—as well as overloaded, old, or dilapidated vehicles—for school transportation will not be permitted.

To prevent further accidents, the DC directed officials to identify accident-prone stretches on National and State Highways and immediately implement safety measures. Instructions were issued for the installation of rumble strips, radium reflectors, crash barriers, and sliding barriers, along with repairs of streetlights and corrective action at identified black spots. Regular drives against over-speeding were also ordered.

Ranjan also directed the Transport Department and Traffic Police to jointly conduct regular enforcement drives against drunk driving, triple riding, riding without helmets, and driving without seat belts. Awareness campaigns at major intersections and accident-prone areas will also be conducted to educate commuters on safe driving practices.

The meeting emphasized the need for road safety awareness programmes in schools and colleges, along with special helmet awareness campaigns targeting youth. The Deputy Commissioner said developing discipline regarding traffic rules among young citizens is essential to reducing accidents.

Reviewing hit-and-run cases, the Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to ensure speedy compensation disbursal to the families of victims and expedite the disposal of pending cases. He stressed that providing timely assistance to affected families must remain a priority.