Most fatal accidents due to driver fault, efforts on to reduce human error: CM

If Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has asked the administration to analyse the reasons behind the human errors that caused 78% of fatal road accidents, though he did not specify the time frame.

If Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has asked the administration to analyse the reasons behind the human errors that caused 78% of fatal road accidents, though he did not specify the time frame.

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Chavan, while inaugurating a 15-day road safety awareness programme at Marine drive on Monday, also said that the number of accidents have been declining over the last few years, even though there has been a 10% annual increase of vehicles in the state since the last past five years.

“The statistics show steady decrease in the accident rate since the past five years. But 78% of the fatal accidents are due to drivers’ fault, and the rest because of technical errors or bad roads. The reasons, such as not wearing helmets, safety belts, drink driving, no reflector and so on should be analysed so that it can be avoided,” said Chavan, who heads the state transport ministry.

State records show a marginal decline in road accidents, though in 2008 and 2010, the deaths crossed 12,300.

The statewide programme has been jointly organised by the regional transport offices, the transport department, the police, and the Western India Automobile Association, and comprises enforcement drives, seminars on road safety and health camps.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who also spoke at the seminar, said drink driving should be treated more sternly. “If booked for drink driving, the license should be suspended for five years.”