Non-compliance of traffic rules and the alleged failure of agencies concerned to make sure that the rules are obeyed have been resulting in frequent road mishaps in the Durg district. The latest one being reported from Kumhari in which four persons tragically lost their lives after their scooter hit a tractor standing on the road from behind. None of the victims were wearing helmet which could have helped save the victims while the traffic patrolling teams too miserably failed to remove the tractor parked on the road in violation to the rules. Durg district witnesses tragic deaths in road mishaps almost every day and even though the number of road fatalities occurring on National Highway has reduced according to the Traffic Department, it seems like awareness among motorists still need to be raised. Despite the Traffic Department initiating concrete steps like identifying black spots, accident prone zones and ensuring good road engineering, the tragic accidental deaths occurring on day to day basis paints a grim picture in Durg district.

 

While large number of people still prefer not to wear helmets and seat belts while driving, the e-challans being issued by the authorities to ensure the compliance proves to be proving insufficient. Besides, owing to encroachment on service road in almost every area including Supela, Power House, Khursipar, Old Bhilai, Charoda and Kumhari, the two wheeler riders prefer using the highway which has emerged as the focal point for accidents resulting into untimely deaths. Apart from raising awareness and penalising people, the Traffic Department needs to initiate more steps to educate the motorists regarding traffic rules while undoubtedly the motorists too need to take steps for ensuring safety of their own and others as well.