Dimapur, December 18 (MExN): Expressing concern on the rising number of road accidents especially in Dimapur, the NPP Nagaland unit stated that proper and adequate safety measures should be put in place to mitigate such incidents.
The party issued a press release on Friday stating that accidents are occurring despite the fact that road development works are in full swing and listed several interventions that the state government can take up in order to mitigate such incidents.
It said that adequate traffic personnel should be deployed to man vulnerable stretches of the Highways. However, for this to happen, it pointed out that the Home Department should appoint new personnel in the Traffic Department as there is an acute shortage of workforce in the department.
It also said that proper barricading of roads especially in accident prone areas, demarcation of lanes and strict rules for lane driving should be put in place. The party also stated that speed breakers should be constructed on the highways passing through commercial areas especially near educational institutions, hospitals and other vulnerable locations like intersections and junctions.
Proper and easily visible sign posts and reflectors and signal lights should also be installed at all stretches of roads especially at all the bends, it said, while adding that proper and sufficient CCTV cameras should be installed at major intersections as well as vantage points of all important roads.
Government should provide adequate Emergency Ambulances especially dedicated for accident victims and Accident Trauma Centres should also be set up in all district headquarters for the accident victims, it added.
Further pointing out that the vehicles parking along roadsides especially on the highways during the night time have also caused several accidents, it advised all to ensure that their parking or hazard lights are compulsorily kept on.
It also requested Village Councils, Colonies and local bodies to assist the administration in vehicular movements to minimize road accidents, especially during the festive seasons.
Stating that such interventions would go a long way in ensuring safety of the hundreds of commuters and save precious lives, it also appealed to the public to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to ensure safety on the roads.
“They must educate themselves about the traffic rules and regulations while also avoiding any kind of willful offences like over speeding, driving under the influence of intoxicants like alcohol, overtaking from the wrong side, jumping lanes, using high beam lights at night, not using dippers, using mobile phones while driving, etc,” it said while emphasizing that citizens should also be mindful that their duties are as important as demands for rights.
