Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Aug 12: Accidents on the national highways in Udupi district have been on the rise. In 2023, more than 1,000 accidents occurred, resulting in the tragic loss of 222 lives. Following these alarming statistics, the police department has identified 21 black spots where accidents are frequent, prompting the district administration to instruct the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take corrective measures.

The primary causes of the increasing number of accidents have been identified as the unscientific design of roads and junctions, as well as over-speeding by motorists. Four black spots have been identified within the Udupi traffic police station limits, and three within the Byndoor police station limits. The district administration has directed NHAI to install warning signs, create zebra crossings, and deploy traffic police at these black spots to reduce the risk of accidents.

In 2023, the district witnessed 1,284 accidents on national highways. Alongside the 222 fatalities, 1,381 individuals sustained minor to major injuries. According to the police department, 90% of these accidents were attributed to over-speeding.

Three years ago, MAHE MIT students and experts conducted a highway black spot study in collaboration with NHAI and the district police. Their findings highlighted the unscientific design of roads as a significant factor in accidents. The study pointed out that road dividers and U-turns are often installed due to pressure from the owners of nearby wedding halls, petrol bunks, hospitals, and shopping malls. Ideally, three lanes should be provided before a U-turn, but this is not always the case, especially where local residents have influenced the placement of U-turns. Additionally, driving on the wrong side of the road has been identified as another major cause of accidents, according to Raghavendra Holla, an assistant lecturer of civil engineering at MIT Manipal.

Dr K Vidyakumari, the deputy commissioner of Udupi, stated, "Appropriate instructions have already been given to the police department and NHAI to prevent accidents on highways. Ambulance mapping with trauma care centers on highways should be implemented, and highway engineers have been advised to hold special meetings every month."