Traffic police take steps to reduce road deaths

After pushing road deaths down to a 10-year low in 2012 through various crackdowns on norm violators, the Delhi traffic police are now in the process of scientifically analyzing all accidents and come up with sustainable solutions.

After pushing road deaths down to a 10-year low in 2012 through various crackdowns on norm violators, the Delhi traffic police are now in the process of scientifically analyzing all accidents and come up with sustainable solutions.

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Evidence-based solutions would include tuning of signal timings to ensure balanced dispersal of vehicles at accident prone intersections, changing road geometry, scientifically improving road curvatures and gradients with the help of road owning authorities based on the findings of reasons for accidents. They will also ensure that all signals are properly visible and functional, said sources.

"Our prime focus would be to reduce fatal and non-fatal road accidents on city roads by providing evidence-based solutions. This would be a step forward in our endeavour to reduce road accidents," said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic).

The traffic department has asked officers concerned to send details of all accidents in all traffic ranges. Experts from IIT Delhi and other organisations would be involved in the process of accident analysis and make suggestions.

"Increasing deployment of traffic police personnel and intensifying violation checks are not enough to reduce accidents. We would try and figure out the reasons for accidents based on evidence and accordingly provide solutions," Shukla said.

According to sources, the traffic police would also use GIS mapping system to identify exact locations where maximum accidents took place during the last year.

They also have plans to install many pedestrian signals particularly on stretches where maximum pedestrian accidents took place in 2012.