Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jun 26: In recent years, accidents and fatalities involving two-wheelers are on the rise both in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Youngsters whose lives are claimed due to accidents are often influenced by films, social media and prefer to own a sports bike. They are seen performing stunts on roads such as wheeling which are uploaded on to the social media as well.
Reckless driving and stunts are the primary reasons for rising number of accidents while in some cases there are cases of reckless driving by private buses that has resulted in claiming lives of many. When a two-wheeler accident occurs , the chances of survival are said to be bleak and minimal and those who have lost their lives are mostly youngsters in the age group of 20-25 years.
Representational image
The rise in number of roads accidents and deaths has become a worrying factor for parents as they are pressurised into buying new vehicles for their children. Many parents have already lost their children due to accidents who were their hope. Reckless driving, alcohol consumption, dozing off are some of the major causes for accidents and also most of the riders or the pillion riders do not wear helmets while riding.
Many major traffic junctions lack proper signboards and display boards as the the paint of the humps get faded. Though Police are taking preventive measures to avoid incidents, onus is on two-wheelers riders to take responsibility for themselves by obeying traffic rules and avoid traffic violations.
Most of the youngsters wear helmets for the sake of traffic police and to avoid paying hefty penalties and not for their safety. Awareness should be created among the youngsters about the safety measures to be taken before riding any vehicle.
Mangaluru City Police commissionarate limits
In 2022, as many as 1,121 accidents occurred out of which 161 lost their lives, 1053 got injured and 37 of them were youngsters among the deceased. Pedestrians numbering about 51 were among the deceased and 548 two-wheelers were involved in road mishaps.
In 2023, 555 accidents happened out of which 73 lost their lives and 480 got injured. Pedestrians numbering about 26 pedestrians and 19 youngsters were among the deceased, As many as 233 two-wheelers were involved in accidents.
Dakshina Kannada district limits
In 2022, 939 accidents occurred resulting in 156 deaths and 1410 got injured. As many as 33 pedestrians and 45 youngsters died and 528 two-wheelers were involved in accidents.
In 2023, 479 accidents happened resulting in 74 deaths and 717 got injured. As many as 9 youngsters and 12 pedestrians died and 275 two-wheelers were involved in accidents.
Recent accidents
A 34-year-old man lost his life in Gurupura on June 22 and 19-year-old student Karthik lost his life at Moodabidiri. In both the cases private buses were the cause for their deaths.
In February, a 20-year-old student met with an accident at Bejai and lost his life. The rider was not wearing a helmet and he suffered a head injury after he collided against a tree. If he had worn a helmet it was believed that he would have survived from the accident.