Mumbai: 4,400 cases of rash driving till Sept, cops appeal for caution

In nine months of 2014 alone, there have been more than 4,400 cases of rash and negligent driving. In 2013, the cases registered were 4,945, while the number in 2012 was much lower, at 3,160.

The number of vehicles on Mumbai’s roads is rising by the day, and so are the cases of traffic violations. Since Friday, accidents across the city have claimed five lives, and left several others, including a traffic policeman, injured.

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In nine months of 2014 alone, there have been more than 4,400 cases of rash and negligent driving. In 2013, the cases registered were 4,945, while the number in 2012 was much lower, at 3,160.

According to the traffic police department, around 1.3 lakh people died in accidents across the country last year, of which 15,000 deaths were in Maharashtra. “We want to reduce the number of deaths. This year, so far, the number in the city has gone down by 37, which means 37 lives have been saved. We appeal to youngsters to be careful when they drive,” said Dr BK Upadhyay, joint commissioner of police, traffic.

The cases of speeding reported till September were 2,100. In 2013, 3,635 motorists were penalised for speeding, compared with 767 cases in 2012.

Jumping signals, too, is a major problem, said traffic officials. From 2.04 lakh cases in 2012, the number went up to 3.09 lakh in 2013. “Bikers have no respect for the law. Rash and negligent driving is one of the major problems faced in the city,” said PS Pasricha, former deputy general of police (DGP) of Maharashtra.

“The traffic police should bring the incidents to the notice of the bikers’ family members. There is a need to make people aware of the consequences of their negligent behaviour,” he said.