Agartala: Tripura’s Director General of Police, Anurag, today highlighted a grim reality: over-speeding is the primary culprit behind 90% of road traffic accidents in the state, leading to a higher death toll from collisions than from murder cases. This stark revelation came during an event at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, Agartala, where 16 ambulances were distributed and a Vehicle Location Tracking and Monitoring System was virtually inaugurated.
The DGP underscored the gravity of road safety, noting that while India witnesses a road accident death every 3.5 minutes, Tripura’s situation, though improving, remains a concern. “Last year, two people died every three days in road traffic accidents in Tripura. This year, that figure has slightly improved to two deaths every four days,” he stated, attributing the positive shift to an ongoing road safety drive. He proudly added that Tripura’s performance is “far better than the national average.”
Elaborating on the proactive measures, DGP Anurag informed that the Tripura Police and Traffic Unit are diligently implementing the 4E theory: Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Services, a comprehensive approach to road safety. He assured that all state departments are working in tandem on this critical initiative.
Providing encouraging statistics, the top cop revealed a significant drop in fatalities. “Last year’s RTA (Road Traffic Accident) deaths were 13% less than in 2023, and this year, till June, deaths are 30% less, and accidents are down by 10%,” he shared. However, he reiterated the alarming statistic that 90% of accidents in Tripura are due to over-speeding, significantly higher than the national average of 71%. Other contributing factors include intoxication, poor vehicle condition, and a disregard for traffic regulations.
The DGP made a fervent appeal to the public, stressing the collective responsibility in adhering to traffic rules to curb the alarming rate of deaths and injuries. He presented a sobering demographic breakdown, stating that approximately 66% of road traffic accident victims are youths aged between 18 and 45. Drawing a stark comparison, he concluded, “Last year, 226 people died in road traffic accidents, while there were 116 murder cases. Accidental deaths are higher than murder cases in Tripura.”
Read More: African Swine Fever Confirmed in Arunachal Pradesh Village