The number of road accidents under Bengal police’s jurisdiction in the first six months of 2018 declined by 15 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year, according to a study by the traffic department.

Between January and June last year, 6,247 road accidents had been reported in the state, excluding most of Calcutta. The cumulative figure for the same period this year is 5,326.

Statistics might offer some comfort but enforcement continues to be a challenge for the police in terms of vehicle and victim demography. The road behaviour of goods vehicles remains the biggest concern while pedestrians are the most vulnerable.

According to collated police data, accidents involving goods vehicles account for 28 per cent of the incidents reported to various police stations and outposts. Motorbikes are a close second, causing 24 per cent of the total number of accidents.

Truck accidents are reported more in Birbhum, Hooghly, Darjeeling, Chandernagore, East Midnapore, Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, North Dinajpur and East Burdwan than the rest of the state.

Senior police officers who have served in the traffic department for several years said the occurrence of road accidents was linked to multiple factors such as the condition of vehicles, road engineering, weather, policing, driving habits and awareness among pedestrians about road rules.

“But overloading and poor condition of tyres remain the primary triggers. Whenever there is an accident because of overloading, only the transporter is held responsible. If the owner of the goods is jointly held responsible, maybe there will be fewer instances of overloading,” a police officer said.

Trucks overloaded with sand, stone and other building materials are a common feature of highways. These vehicles are more vulnerable to accidents because overloading hastens the wear and tear that tyres suffer. Such vehicles are also prone to toppling over.

“We have been trying to create awareness among truck drivers and motorbike riders about road safety through the Safe Drive Save Life campaign. We coordinate with other government agencies for road engineering issues, proper illumination of highways and maintenance,” the officer said.

Motor vehicle inspectors are empowered to prosecute overloaded goods vehicles with the police’s assistance but enforcement isn’t the transport department’s strong suit. For the police, reducing the rate of traffic violations and accidents involving two-wheeler riders has proved daunting.

Statistics have shown that only 25 per cent of motorbike and other two-wheeler riders involved in accidents, including fatal ones, are found wearing helmets.

“To curb accidents, multiple government agencies need to focus on education, execution, engineering and emergency response. The rate of accidents and fatalities might vary, depending on a change in any of these four factors,” a police officer said.

In the first six months of the year, 1,647 accidents involving pedestrians were reported. The number of pedestrian-related accidents last year was 2,209.

‘Safety’ in statistics

Sharpest dip in accident rate

• Murshidabad: 42.79%
  
• Siliguri commissionerate: 34.67%
  
• Baruipur: 34.07%
  

Top 3 contributors to accidents

• Goods vehicles: 28%
  
• Two-wheelers: 24%
  
• Four-wheelers: 21%
  

Accidents involving pedestrians

• 2017: 2,209
  
• 2018: 1,647