88 Dead, 1,000 Injured in Road Accidents in Jammu Districts

In a distressing report, 88 individuals died and over 1,000 were injured in road accidents across the districts of Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch in Jammu during the first seven months of this year. The Traffic Police (Rural Jammu) launched a special enforcement drive to curb rampant two-wheeler violations, which accounted for 44 percent of the crashes. This campaign resulted in 8,675 violators being booked, an official revealed on Tuesday.

The awareness-cum-enforcement effort unfolded from September 1 to 14 after a thorough analysis of accident data flagged the substantial participation of two-wheelers in accidents across these districts. A spokesperson for the traffic police stated that the statistics underscored an urgent need for such measures.

According to the road accident analysis conducted by Traffic Police Rural Jammu, 699 accidents occurred from January 1 to July 31, leading to 88 fatalities and injuries to exactly 1,001 individuals. This analysis indicated that two-wheelers were directly involved in 309 accidents, illustrating their critical role in the alarming accident statistics.

Moreover, the data revealed that these two-wheeler incidents included 39 fatal accidents. Two-wheelers caused 384 injuries, with 144 recorded as single-vehicle incidents. On major National Highways, 41 percent of accidents involved two-wheelers, while 47 percent occurred on other roads.

The findings also found that about 27 percent of those affected were under the age of 26. Out of the total accidents, 445 incidents (or 64 percent) involved single vehicles.

In response to these unsettling statistics, Traffic Police Rural Jammu implemented a broad awareness and enforcement campaign across the four districts. The spokesperson confirmed that the initiative included comprehensive engagement with the community along with a decisive crackdown on violations.

During this operation, the Traffic Police issued a staggering 8,675 challans, distinguishing serious offenders including 5,767 riders penalized for riding without helmets alongside 1,152 pillion riders caught without head protection. The police also registered 1,106 instances of triple riding violations.

The enforcement drive also scrutinized rider behaviors, resulting in actions against 188 individuals using mobile phones while driving, 260 penalized for dangerous driving, and 146 caught without valid driving licenses. Notably, three minors were apprehended for illegally riding two-wheelers, alongside the seizure of 50 modified vehicles. A total of 187 vehicles were confiscated for various traffic offenses.

As part of community outreach, the Traffic Police conducted 267 awareness programs at educational institutions, tuition centers, bus stands, playgrounds, and other public venues to instill road safety norms among the youth.

Additionally, dedicated counseling sessions for road safety were held in Rajouri and Poonch districts, featuring canopies set up for on-road interactions with drivers. The initiative used a unique “no-challan, only counseling” approach aimed at educating motorists on safe driving practices, helmet usage, and the repercussions of risky behavior.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser, the department plans to initiate similar enforcement activities targeting additional vehicle categories, including Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), in the upcoming days. Qaiser urged all drivers to comply strictly with traffic rules and the Motor Vehicles Act, emphasizing that stringent actions will continue to ensure public safety.