Editorial . . . . . . . . 

Every accident is followed by people expressing their concern or issuing a press release asking ex-gratia aid for the bereaved and expressing compassion for the victims. The recent increase in traffic accidents in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir brings into question the condition of our roads and, more significantly, whether drivers are effectively following traffic safety regulations. The fact that Indian roadways are unsafe is a fact. The laws controlling traffic safety precautions are also not robust enough to discourage reckless driving or excessive speeding. Road accidents are a substantial cause of death in India, as is commonly known. According to a new report released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, states and union territories (UTs) reported a total of 3,66,138 road accidents during the calendar year 2020, which resulted in 1,31,714 fatalities and 3,48,279 injuries. The victims were mainly young people in productive age groups (MoRTH). According to the research, “Road accidents in India — 2020,” out of the 3,66,138 road accidents that were reported in the nation in 2020, 1,16,496 (31.8%) of them occurred on National Highways, including expressways, 90,755 (24.8%) on State Highways, and 1,58,887 (43.4%) on other routes. According to the report, two-wheelers made up the largest portion of all accidents and fatalities on the road in 2020 among the other types of vehicles engaged. Over speeding is a big killer in 2020 in the category of traffic rule violations, accounting for 69.3% of the fatalities, followed by driving on the wrong side (5.6%), according to the research. Over speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road are the main causes of these traffic accidents. In 2020, 73 percent of traffic accidents were the result of drivers exceeding the posted speed limit. Over speeding was also a factor in 70% of the fatalities. About 6%, or 7,332 persons, died as a result of driving on the wrong side of the road. Helmet failure resulted in 39,589 fatalities. New technology is developed as science advances. The construction of new infrastructure improves and lengthens human life. However, as more highways are constructed in our nation and modern cars enter the market, more people are dying in traffic accidents. As a result, even though our nation has developed highways and welcomed large automobiles as well as two-wheelers, its citizens lack the discipline necessary to drive the most modern cars on these cutting-edge, wide roads. We must all admit that issues like speed breakers on highways and poor road quality, incorrect designs, also contributed to the mortality toll. The majority of traffic collisions in Jammu and Kashmir so far this year have involved tourist vehicles. The fatalities have largely been caused by driving too fast and doing so at night on the perilous mountain roads.

However, the states haven’t done their part to set up a safety strategy and give cash for safety. It is one thing to hold a week-long road safety awareness campaign once a year and then ignore it, as this hardly inspires drivers and motorists to follow safe driving habits. A consistent year-round campaign combined with stiff fines for even the smallest deviation can be quite effective in making Indian roads safer. Are we ready to implement such policies?   People need assistance the most in the “Golden Hour,” the first hour following an accident, therefore the government and NGOs must inform residents who live near major thoroughfares and organize a large number of volunteers to assist. Good Samaritans should be honoured. The majority of these incidents occurred on the Srinagar Jammu Delhi highway (NH 44), which was followed by other routes like the Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar road, the Srinagar Anantnag road, and the Srinagar Baramullah road, among others. No ad hoc remedy will be able to mend the wounds of the suffering community, so the government must find a permanent solution.