Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland districts of Nagaland recorded a significant decline in vehicular accidents in 2024 compared to previous years, according to data released by the Dimapur Police on Thursday. A total of 110 road accidents were reported in 2024, marking a sharp reduction from 557 in 2022 and 267 in 2023.
The decline, an impressive 80.25% compared to 2022, has been attributed to extensive road safety awareness campaigns and improved traffic infrastructure, according to the police commissionerate.
The police credited road safety awareness campaigns as a major factor behind the decline. It said schools and colleges were the primary focus of the awareness campaigns, aiming to educate and inculcate in children safe driving habits and traffic laws. More than 60 educational institutions under the three districts were covered by the traffic personnel under this program, according to the police.
This grassroots approach attempted to educate not only the student community but also indirectly reach out to the parents, guardians and general public through them to spread the message of safe driving habits and to follow traffic laws.
Additionally, awareness campaigns were also conducted for the autorickshaws and truck drivers through their unions.
Further, lectures on the importance of road safety and traffic rules and regulations were delivered in churches and seminar programmes of various public organisations. To reinforce these efforts, booklets, pamphlets, and leaflets on road safety and traffic regulations were distributed during awareness drives and Road Safety Week.
It also said precautionary solar blinker lights were installed at black spots and accident-prone areas to alert drivers, especially at night, while delineator lights were erected at important junctions to discourage double/triple piling of vehicles at traffic stops.
Signages were also installed at various strategic locations to caution and alert the drivers, it said adding barricades were also installed and placed at important locations.
It also said along with restrictions in speed limit, especially during the festive season, enforcement drives on overspeeding and drunken driving were carried out throughout the night to prevent and minimise road accidents, which proved vital in the reduction of accident cases. (With inputs from NE Now)