Dimapur witnessing significant drop in road accidents

DIMAPUR — Road accidents in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland have seen a significant drop in the first half of 2024.

According to data provided by the Dimapur Traffic Police (DTP) to Eastern Mirror, only 58 accidents were reported between January and June this year, in contrast to the 163 accidents reported during the same period in 2023, and 368 in 2022.

This represents a 55.7 per cent reduction in vehicular accidents in 2023 compared to 2022, and a further reduction of 64.4 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023.

However, while the number of accidents has declined, the number of fatalities has remained constant at 26 for both 2023 and 2024. This is compared to 20 fatalities reported in the first half of 2022.

Concurrently, the number of injuries has seen a sharp decrease, from 148 in 2022 to 105 in 2023, and further down to 62 in 2024.

The DTP attributed this declining trend to three key initiatives: road safety awareness campaigns, installation of traffic lights and signage, and stricter enforcement drives.

Road safety awareness campaigns: As per the data, traffic personnel visited more than 50 educational institutions under Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland to spread road safety awareness among the younger generation. This grassroots approach aimed to instil safe driving practices and respect for traffic laws among the younger generation, with the added benefit of extending these messages to parents, guardians, and the wider community through the students.

The campaign was also extended to auto-rickshaw and truck drivers through their unions. Furthermore, traffic personnel visited several churches and delivered lectures, imparting information on road safety and traffic rules and regulations. Materials such as booklets, pamphlets, and leaflets on road safety, traffic laws and rules were also distributed among the road users.

Traffic lights: The DTP has also focused on improving road infrastructure by installing solar blinker lights at “black spots” and accident-prone areas, delineator lights at important junctions to discourage double/triple piling of vehicles at traffic stops. It also installed signages at various strategic locations to caution and alert the drivers.

Enforcement drives: Furthermore, stringent enforcement drives were conducted, using a combination of penalties on offenders and public education to promote compliance with traffic laws and enhance road safety.

The general public and drivers are becoming more aware of Road Safety and thereby also contributing to the reduction in the numbers of accidents. This trend, if it continues, will ensure a safe environment for the commuters, pedestrians and road users, the DTP said.

Further, it said that collaborative efforts with local police stations and patrolling parties, especially during night hours, helped in curbing rash and reckless driving.

Through their assistance, there was significant improvement in controlling and preventing rash driving, reckless driving, and ensuring safety of the public, it added.