88 Dead and 1,000 Injured in Jammu Road Accidents

In an alarming trend, road accidents across the four districts of Jammu—Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch—have led to 88 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries since January 1 this year. The Traffic Police Rural Jammu has launched a significant enforcement initiative targeting two-wheeler violations, which have been linked to 44% of these crashes. This special drive ran from September 1 to 14, with authorities issuing 8,675 fines to violators.

The Traffic Police’s analysis revealed a distressing count of 699 accidents over the past seven months. Officials reported that two-wheelers were involved in 309 of these incidents, with fatalities numbering 39. Notably, a significant 384 individuals sustained injuries from accidents involving two-wheelers.

Investigations showed that on National Highways, two-wheelers contributed to 41% of the total accidents, whereas 47% of incidents on other routes also involved these vehicles. Shockingly, 27% of those affected were under 26 years old, highlighting the vulnerability of younger riders on the roads.

To tackle this escalating crisis, the Traffic Police implemented a well-rounded campaign that combined raising awareness with stringent enforcement. The drive aimed not only to penalize offenders but to educate riders about road safety and legal requirements.

Among the fines issued, the data indicates that 5,767 riders were penalized for not wearing helmets, alongside 1,152 pillion riders. Other violations included triple riding, mobile phone usage while driving (188 cases), and 146 instances of unsafe driving without a valid license.

Moreover, this concerted effort resulted in the seizure of 187 vehicles due to various traffic violations. The police even apprehended three minors caught driving unlawfully, showcasing the imperative need for stricter regulations surrounding youth and motor vehicle operation.

As part of the campaign, officials conducted 267 awareness programs at schools, colleges, and other public venues, focusing particularly on educating the youth about responsible driving and adherence to the Motor Vehicles Act. Furthermore, on-ground road-safety counseling sessions in Rajouri and Poonch offered interactive engagement with road users, adopting a novel “no-challan, only counseling” approach. Riders had the opportunity to learn about helmet usage and driving discipline without the threat of fines.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser, emphasized the necessity for continued oversight and urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations, claiming that future operations targeting other vehicle categories, including Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), will commence shortly. He reassured the public that strict measures against violators will persist in the interest of community safety.