Haryana DGP urges police to identify accident hotspots, enforce safety to curb fatalities

The state recorded nearly 4,000 deaths from road accidents this year till the end of October — five times higher than the number of murders reported during the same period.

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh on Monday issued a strong advisory to all police commissioners, superintendents, SHOs, and traffic in-charges across the state, directing them to take urgent and coordinated action to reduce road accidents and fatalities.

Commuters stuck in a long queue at the Dwarka Expressway toll plaza. (Parveen Kumar/ HT Photo)

Citing alarming statistics, Singh said that the state recorded nearly 4,000 deaths from road accidents this year till the end of October — five times higher than the number of murders reported during the same period. The DGP called these deaths a matter of grave concern and urged police officers to approach the issue with a “humanitarian and mission-oriented mindset”.

He directed officers to identify accident-prone and blind-spot areas in their jurisdictions, analyse causes, and implement immediate corrective measures. “Ensure that no vehicle is left parked on the road, and if one is, place reflective tape and warning lights to make it visible from a distance,” the advisory stated.

The DGP also emphasised that truck and trailer drivers should not be allowed to park vehicles on highways for long durations, as this increases the risk of crashes. Officers have been asked to impose 15–20 days of parking restrictions where violations are common and to deploy reflectors and lighting near toll plazas to improve nighttime visibility.

The advisory further instructed police to coordinate with highway operators to ensure that all drivers are registered and that they get adequate rest between trips. “Drivers often operate round the clock without breaks, drastically increasing accident risk. They must understand that the law will hold them accountable for negligence,” Singh warned.

In addition, he directed public works and road maintenance departments to ensure proper signage and barricading, and said that in major accident cases, the road design and engineering lapses will also be examined.

The DGP also ordered immediate medical response measures to ensure accident victims are transported to nearby hospitals within the “golden hour,” and mandated coordination with local hospitals for emergency readiness.

Appealing to citizens, Singh said, “Remind people that roads are not private property. Those who flout rules and endanger lives will find their place behind bars.”

He concluded by asking all district police heads to submit reports on the number of accident-related deaths in their jurisdictions for November and December and detail the steps taken to prevent them. Districts achieving significant reduction in fatalities will be honoured on Republic Day, he said.

“Hundreds of lives can be saved through your efforts. Act today,” the DGP wrote.