TV
A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday as a motorcycle caught fire following a collision with a truck in Digapahandi block in Ganjam district. The accident resulted in severe burns to an individual leading to his death, with two others sustaining critical injuries.
Also Read: Odisha roads unsafe! 3,717 deaths in 7 months!
This accident reportedly occurred in front of Ratneswari Temple on Chikiti-Digapahandi road.
Locals promptly transported the injured individuals to a nearby medical facility for urgent care. Law enforcement officials have arrived at the scene and launched an investigation to determine the details surrounding the fatal collision.
“We are probing to ascertain the exact cause of road mishap. We have seized the motorcycle and the truck. A case has been registered in this connection and a detailed probe has been initiated. Body of a youth has been sent for post-mortem,” a cop of K Nuagaon Police Station said.
Worth mentioning, over the last seven months, Odisha witnessed 3,717 deaths in road accidents, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said in the Legislative Assembly on February 20.
The statistics were disclosed in response to a query from BJD legislator Arun Sahoo. Jena revealed that out of 6,327 recorded accidents, there were 3,717 fatalities, while 3,401 individuals sustained severe injuries.
Key contributors to this alarming trend include reckless driving. Specifically, speeding was responsible for 918 deaths. A further 1,052 fatalities resulted from negligent driving, and 46 accidents involved drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.
Minister Jena also highlighted that an additional 4,677 deaths were caused in the State by various other factors. He stressed the urgent need for enhanced public awareness and the implementation of stronger safety measures on Odisha roads.
Odisha's road safety initiatives
Odisha has set an ambitious target of reducing road accident deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030, aligning with national and global road safety goals. The State is adopting a data-driven approach to decision-making and urging all stakeholders to work in close coordination.
Must Read: 6 killed, 5 critical as pick-up van rams into trailer due to dense fog in Odisha's Sundargarh
Additionally, financial assistance will be provided to transport operators for the installation of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) devices in transport vehicles. Police will receive support for road safety data digitisation and assistance to citizens in case of accidents.
Challenges and future plans
Despite the recent improvements, Odisha still faces significant challenges in road safety. The State reports an average of 16 road deaths every day, with a severity rate (number of people killed per 100 accidents) of 47 percent, which is alarmingly higher than the national average of 37 percent.
Reported By: Satya
