JOIN USEight die in road accidents on Holi
With road accidents claiming eight lives on Wednesday, the national capital recorded the lowest number of fatal road accidents on the Holi day since 2007.
A total of 10,339 people were prosecuted for various traffic violations on Wednesday, including 1,278 for drunk driving, said traffic police officials.
“A total of 10,339 motorists were prosecuted on Wednesday, which include 1,278 for drunken driving, 973 for triple riding, 3,967 for not wearing helmet by drivers and pillion riders and 465 for not using seat belt, amongst others,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner (traffic).
A total of eight people died in road accidents on Holi — the lowest since 2007. “The number of fatal accidents on the day of Holi between 2007 to 2012 varied from 11 to 17 in different years. Last year, 13 people were killed on the Holi day,” said Shukla. Traffic cops said rigorous prosecution and strict enforcement was one of the major reasons for keeping the fatal accidents low compared to last few years. The officials said about 200 teams of traffic cops were stationed at different locations in the city to take action against traffic violators.
“A total of 610 motorcycles of the ‘chase and challan squad’ were given the special task of prosecuting drunk drivers. Moreover, checking drunk driving was undertaken jointly by Delhi Traffic Police, PCR and local staff of respective police stations. Additional staff from research and development wing of traffic and ministerial staff were also a part of the special drive,” said Shukla.
The highest number of casualties on Holi over the last one decade was in the year 2006 when 22 people were killed in 20 road accidents.