9% fall in fatal road accidents

Last year, Delhi, which registers large numbers of road fatalities annually, saw a fall in fatal accidents. Or so the Delhi Police claim. And the figure would decline further this year, Delhi police commissioner BK Gupta promised.

Last year, Delhi, which registers large numbers of road fatalities annually, saw a fall in fatal accidents. Or so the Delhi Police claim. And the figure would decline further this year, Delhi Police commissioner BK Gupta promised.

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To ensure this, Gupta said the police have decided to focus on specific areas related to traffic management. This includes a massive crackdown on drunk driving, increase in penalty for road norm violation and improved traffic management in busy areas like market places.

"Last year, there had been over 9% decline in fatal accidents and over 8% fall in accident deaths in comparison to 2009," said Gupta, while addressing Delhi Police's annual press conference on Thursday.

"Traffic improvement and road safety was the focus of the Delhi police last year and we will lay emphasis on this during the current year also," Gupta added.

The number of fatal accidents in 2010 was 1,978, while in 2009, the figure stood at 2,182.

The city police chief attributed the fall in accidents to systematic analysis of accidents, increased police presence at intersections, special night patrolling, stern action against drunk driving, among other measures.

Gupta said stern measures like suspension of driving licenses and cancellation of the same for subsequent offences have resulted in reducing traffic violations.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police recently enforced lane discipline at 15 strategic locations identified as 'zero-tolerance zones'.

"Delhi Police have identified 15 corridors, where there is intensive traffic presence to check traffic violations and enforce lane discipline," Gupta added.