Motor accidents & vehicle crimes spiralling in Dimapur

Temshinaro
Dimapur, November 22

The toll that the roads in Dimapur are taking has now breached the line of administrative regulation, developmental accountability, and policing concerns. Records for the past three years (2012-2014) show that the concern is not only alarming; it is also reflecting an urgent need for both administrative responsibility and civic initiative to work together. The casualty records from 2012 to current November show that the number of motor accidents and casualties in Dimapur has not only increased; it has increased twofold in just two years.
Equally alarming is that the trend is being offset by another concern – the increasing number of vehicle thefts– one of the highest in two decades – in the commercial district.
Statistics and percentage of casualties
According to records made available to this daily, 625 accidents were recorded in 2012 from which 248 got injured, and 65 persons died. In 2013, the number of accidents rose even higher, at 648, which took the toll even higher to 283 with critical injuries, out of which 42 persons died.
Simply put, in the past 1, 030 days there was 1, 675 motor accidents in Dimapur which injured at least 718 persons (damage to vehicles and properties not included), and left 145 people dead. That is roughly two major accidents per day approximately in the city every day. The records do not include unreported / unregistered cases.
Now, the year has not yet ended but the number of accidents has already reached 402 and 187 persons have already fallen victims. Out of the number, 38 persons have already been killed. With the festive season – one of the most dangerous times in the state in terms of road behavior – already on, the number of accidents and casualties could increase.

Motor-related crimes
The casualty index is being gradually finding competition by another policing nightmare – the number of vehicles being stolen. The increased number of vehicle thefts especially in Dimapur district alone is an alarming crime that is now demanding serious attention.
The report provided by the District executive Force of Dimapur shows that this year till November 4, a total of 464 vehicles were stolen. Only 46 vehicles were recovered. Amongst the 26 types of vehicles stolen, motorcycles figured the highest with 302 bikes stolen this year alone. Only 15 motorbikes were recovered. Mahindra’s Bolero stands second at 52 stolen. Only 6 were recovered, records show.
In Dimapur some areas are known for the frequent accidents that takes place either because of narrow and congested roads or poor maintenance of the roads and National Highways.
The condition of roads in Dimapur can be viewed as a background when examining the number of increasing motor accidents. According to the comparative report of the ‘Black Spot date for the year 2011,2012 and 2013 in respect of DEF Dimapur,’ provided by the traffic department of Dimapur district, the ‘black spot areas’ are those where fatality number is higher than 10.
The report shows that the black spot areas of Dimapur district stretching till Medziphema has more than 25 black spot areas where accidents occur frequently.
Some of the black spot areas in town roads with the highest number of commuters involved are the Metro Hospital area, City Tower, Khermahal, Tragopan, Nagarjan, Walford, and the areas around the ISBT.
During 2011 73% of the road accidents happened in NH 36 and NH 29 with a total of 30 number of fatalities while 27% in town roads and major town roads with 1 number of accidents. While in 2012 an increase of 71% with 46 number of accidents in NH 36 and NH 29 and 29% with a total number of 19 accidents in town areas. Also the report shows that in 2013, 74% with a total of 31 of accidents in NH’s and 26% with a total of 11 in town areas.

Failure of development and civic initiative
The report also shows that reason behind such kind of frequent accidents happen generally due to lack of civic sense, reckless driving and lack of road-driving manners among drivers and riders. Also, the condition and nature of the roads are also a cause. For instance, the busiest road in the state, national Highway 29 consists of hair-pin bends and deep gorges which causing frequent accidents.
Former Superintendent of Police of Dimapur VZ Angami said in an interaction that accidents occur mostly due to reckless driving; many drivers lack basic sense of driving and traffic rules. He also said that high-beam lights increases chances of accidents during night time as such types of lights disorient other drivers.
The police officer was of the view that if “civic sense” among the motorists in Dimapur was inculcated and if basic traffic rules were existent accidents and traffic problems would ultimately be eased. He added though, that the “support of the state government in bringing certain developmental works towards proper road construction for the common interest of the people,” would help.