64 in year,two-wheeler fatalities up

Accorindg to the data on fatal road accidents with the traffic department,there have been at least 20 fatal two-wheeler accidents on an average every month since January.

Most of the victims are youngsters. People are in a hurry and there are more number of vehicles on roads during these hours. Most of them ride their vehicles at a speed which is higher than the specified speed limits,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) Manoj Patil,adding,“From January,the Pune police have started collecting fines from traffic violators.”

Asked about making helmets compulsory for two-wheeler riders,he said,“That has to come from the citizens. It cannot be forced onto them. Even the home ministers in the past had said people should take an intiative to wear helmets.”

“On almost every alternate day,I read about at least one heart-wrenching news of a youth dying in a road accident,” says Lata Nelge,a resident of Kothrud and mother of an engineering student. “I never allow my son to ride on bike without wearing a helmet. These young boys and girls should ride carefully,especially while leaving for colleges or offices in rush hour.”

Police say that youngsters ride bikes at a very high speed. Fatal accidents occur very less in the areas that have an extremely high traffic flow.

Assistant police inspector Prasanna Bangale of the Hinjewadi traffic division,said,“During peak hours,there is very slow traffic at Hinjewadi since there will be a large number of vehicles on the road always. Because of this,fatal accidents are much less.”

RISING GRAPH
January 25: Two youths,Shailesh Raut (18) of Alandi and his cousin Dnyaneshwar Raut (22) were killed after their bike was hit by a truck. They were not wearing helmets; the accident happened at 7 pm.
February 7: A heavy vehicle ran over a bike killing two MBA graduates,Ashish Mishra (25) and Anshul Vaishnav (24). The accident occurred at noon.
March 23: A 19-year-old engineering student,Ruchita Balavalli died after her bike was hit by a speeding school bus in Aundh. She died while returning home at 7.30 pm.
April 7: Amreen Khan (25) dies after her two wheeler rammed into a road divider throwing her under the rear wheels of a bus. She was on her way to office
‘Helmets for kids unavoidable’
On March 3,a three-year-old boy Omkar Dhumal died after the bike that he was riding pillion along with his parents,was hit by a speeding car. His parents also suffered injuries. DCP Manoj Patil said,“We do not have a concept of child helmet here. Children are equally exposed to danger as others. This issue needs attention.”