Nagpur: While Nagpur’s roads may be lauded for their smooth or concretized appearance, a grave concern lies beneath the surface — pedestrian safety. Startling statistics from 2023 reveal a grim reality, with 25 lives lost each month on Nagpur’s roads, seven of them being pedestrians. The city’s deteriorating traffic system and rising accident rates demand immediate attention and effective measures.
In 2023, a total of 286 lives were claimed by fatal accidents on Nagpur’s roads, marking a four percent increase from the previous year. Pedestrians, in particular, bore the brunt of this crisis, with 90 fatalities and 181 injuries reported in accidents involving them. Despite efforts to issue traffic challans, the police have struggled to instill discipline in the chaotic traffic conditions prevailing in the city.
Shockingly, Nagpur residents are at the forefront of driving dangerously, contributing to 256 accidents that resulted in 70 casualties, including 61 men and 9 women. Twelve accidents were attributed to drunken driving, claiming three lives, including two women. Reckless wrong side driving resulted in 17 accidents and seven deaths, showcasing a dire need for enhanced road safety measures.
The most alarming trend surfaces among four-wheelers, particularly cars, contributing to 487 out of the total 1216 accidents recorded last year. Two-wheelers were involved in 327 accidents, while heavy vehicles, specifically trucks, were responsible for 195 accidents. This breakdown emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, especially among car drivers, to curb the escalating accident rates.
A deeper analysis of the data reveals that the time slot from 8 am to 12 midnight is the most perilous, witnessing 1,013 accidents in 2023. Meanwhile, 203 accidents were reported between 12 midnight and 8 am. This highlights the urgency of implementing measures to enhance road safety during these high-risk periods.
Nagpur is grappling with a serious road safety crisis, with pedestrian fatalities and overall accidents on the rise. Immediate and concerted efforts are required from authorities, law enforcement, and the community to address the deteriorating state of the traffic system. The implementation of effective measures, increased awareness campaigns, and enhanced traffic discipline are crucial to ensure the safety of all road users in Nagpur.
Vehicle boom:
The alarming fatalities in road mishaps could be attributed to vehicle boom in Nagpur. The city witnessed a substantial increase in vehicle registrations, reaching an unprecedented high of 20.06 lakh in the year 2023.
Data obtained from the Nagpur Regional Transport Office (RTO) revealed that 74,128 new vehicles were registered during the year, averaging nearly 203 new vehicles hitting the roads every day. This surge in vehicle numbers, compared to 2022, raises concerns among traffic experts, primarily attributing the rise to an inefficient public transport system, prompting a call for immediate attention to alleviate the growing issues.
In 2023, Nagpur experienced a notable increase in new vehicle registrations compared to the previous year. The Nagpur RTO recorded 74,128 new vehicles, showcasing a daily addition of approximately 203 vehicles. In 2022, the number stood at 72,000, averaging almost 197 new vehicles per day. The majority of the new registrations, over 67%, were two-wheelers, reflecting a growing trend in this segment despite increasing prices.
