One fourth dip in accidents involving government buses compared to last year

Fatalities have come down by 27 per cent till August this year while the accidents have reduced by 22 per cent compared to 2018-19.

According to the latest data from the Transport department, government buses involved in 1,290 accidents till August this year as against the 1,666 accidents last year. The fatalities have reduced to 403 till August this year while it stood at 559 deaths in the corresponding period last year.

Even the accidents and fatalities involving private buses have declined. Till August this year, private buses have involved in 1,607 accidents resulting in the death of 355 persons, while 457 people were killed in 1,898 accidents last year.

A senior official of the State Transport Corporation said that every accident involving STC buses have been analysed for its causes and constant training is being given to reduce and eliminate them. “Issues such as higher number of accidents near boarding and alighting points, higher number in certain months and time of the day and its connection with the type of road and different category of users is also being analysed,” the official said.

As part of the measures to reduce road accidents, the official said the drivers were prohibited from using cell phones and consumption of alcohol. Periodical police checks and surprise breathalyser tests by transport staff have been intensified. “To ensure that the crew gets sufficient rest, their resting rooms are being upgraded with modern facilities. With the help of highways and the police department, roads, signage and traffic regulation have been improved in accident-prone areas,” said the official.