THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking cognizance of The New Indian Express report last week that highlighted the alarming increase in road accident deaths in Kerala this year, the state police on Thursday came out with major preventive measures.
In the report, Express revealed shocking facts of 3093 deaths in the first 264 days in 2016 - an average of 12 deaths a day. More than half of the dead were in the age group of 15-34 years. Kerala was fifth in the list of states where maximum accidents reported.
Director General of Police (DGP) and state police chief Loknath Behra issued an executive directive asking district police chiefs to implement a slew of measures to check rash and negligent driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding. The DGP said it was a matter of grave concern that fatal and near-fatal accidents were increasing and one of the reasons was laxity in enforcing rules.
He said enforcement by the police and transport departments reduced accidents by almost 7 per cent. “It’s to be believed that regulation of traffic and proper enforcement against the offenders will definitely result in reduction of accidents,” the directive said.