HP set to be first state to scientifically analyze road accidents

In a move that could help lower the number of road accidents, Himachal Pradesh is poised to become the first state in the country to launch a road accident data management system that will enable the government to analyze vehicular mishaps and draw up plans to reduce them.

In a move that could help lower the number of road accidents, Himachal Pradesh is poised to become the first state in the country to launch a road accident data management system that will enable the government to analyze vehicular mishaps and draw up plans to reduce them.

The latest system that uses mobile tablets to transfer data will help cops to study the common causes of road accidents. “The road accident data management system has been funded by the World Bank,” additional chief secretary (PWD) Narender Chauhan told this reporter.

The main reasons for vehicular accidents are usually ascertained on four different factors, including engineering that include both road and motor engineering and the level education of traffic cops and vehicle drivers. Probability of accidents also depends on enforcement of traffic rules while the last factor is emergency response to accidents.

“The mobile tablet database will help the traffic police to scientifically analyze the causes of accidents,” said inspector general of police (headquarter) Zahur Ali Haider Zaidi. “The police have also collected data on roads stretches that are highly prone to accidents. For instance there are certain areas on roads in Shimla and Mandi districts that are accident prone due to engineering defects,” he added.

The police have also identified roads where pedestrians are more susceptible to be hit by moving vehicles. “There are certain road stretches in the state where motorists tend to speed, which often results in accidents. Detailed analyses of accidents will help in improving the chances of saving hundreds of lives, Zaidi added.

With the help of this system the traffic police will also prepare an inventory of places that are accident prone and suggest remedial measures. “Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are two states in the country that have high accident rates. Tamil Nadu had launched a paper based system to analyze causes of road accidents,” Zaidi said.

Being a hill state Himachal is highly prone to road accidents with about 1,200 people dying in 3,000 vehicular accidents on every year on an average.

Between 2006 and 2012 the Himachal police’s traffic tourist & railways (TTR) wing identified 314 “black spots” along roads where 4,488 accidents had taken place in the past six years resulting in the death of 1,048 people and injuries to 6,844 others.