Pilgrims visiting Parshuram Kund on Monday offered prayers for those who died in road accidents since January 19 last year in the Northeast.

Hundreds of sadhus and devotees from across the country go to eastern Arunachal Pradesh to take the annual holy dip in the kund near Wakro in Lohit district on Makar Sankranti.

“We offered tilanjali, diya, tulsi saplings and prayers for those who died in road accidents in the Northeast. In most of the cases, accidents occur when we cross roads hurriedly, drive bikes or vehicles at high speeds and overtake. Superstitious people blame Shani, Rahu and

Ketu planets to keep accidents at bay but actually the cause of the accidents are drink driving and speeding,” Mahadev Goswami from Nagaon, one of those who offered prayers for the accident victims, said.

“Violation of traffic rules like driving without wearing helmets or seat belts and talking over mobile phones cause accidents. Road discipline is a must.”

India is observing Road Safety Week till Friday.

According to the latest data released by the ministry of road transport and highways in 2018, the number of road fatalities in the country rose to 1.49 lakh from 1.47 lakh in 2017.

Accidents continue to occur despite enforcement of the new Motor Vehicles Act that aims to reduce road accidents.

Assam transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has urged all stakeholders to dedicate quality services while discharging duties on road safety and conduct refresher course for drivers.