Motor Vehicle Act: Doctors Expect Decline In Accident Deaths

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam has topped the north-eastern region in the number of road accidents. A total of 2,966 people were killed and 7,375 injured in 8,248 accidents in 2018.

With enforcement of the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019 which stipulates imposition of hefty fines on various offences committed by drivers, doctors at both government and private hospitals hope that the number of accident-related deaths will decline if the new amended Act is implemented effectively.

A senior doctor at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) said the hospital receives minimum 10 cases of road accidents every day. He said the number of such cases goes up sharply during the festivals like puja, bihu and Holi.

“The maximum number of accidents is a result of reckless driving. The majority of youths sustain severe head injuries as they don’t wear helmets. Head injuries often prove fatal. Many deaths could have been prevented in the past if the pillion riders had worn helmets,” the doctor said.

The doctor added that the maximum number of accidents during the festivals such as puja, bihu and Holi take place due to drunken driving.

“We hope that the new law will be enforced strictly and effectively to prevent deaths and injuries due to road accidents,” the doctor said.

According to a report titled ‘An analytical glimpse on road accidents in Assam’ published by the Assam Police, the State ranked 16th in the country in the number of road accidents in 2018. It pointed out that 30 people were killed and 89 others were injured in every 100 accidents in the State that year. A total of eight persons were killed and 20 injured in an average in road accidents across the State every day that year, the report said.

The occurrence of road accidents had risen by 15 per cent in 2018 in comparison to 2017. Fatalities had seen a spurt of six per cent and injuries rose by 19 per cent, the report added.

“Penalties have been increased under the new law to make people more aware of road safety; earlier people would bribe their way after violating rules as the penalties were low as compared to the fresh amendment,” a police official said.

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