Maharashtra: Pedestrian deaths 20% of all crash fatalities in 4 years | Mumbai News – Times of India

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[google-translator]

MUMBAI: Pedestrians accounted for 20% of all road crash-related fatalities in Maharashtra in the last four years, according to data released by the state traffic police.
More than 10,600 pedestrians died on state roads between 2019 and 2022. Overall, 53,109 people died in 49,172 fatal crashes in this period. Experts have called for targeted, data-driven interventions to reduce these deaths.

pedestrian deaths

“The magnitude of these incidents cannot be ignored,” said additional DG (state traffic) Ravinder Singal.
Singal said homeless persons walking on highways often become casualties. On May 26, an unidentified person walking down NH3 at Shahpur was hit by a vehicle and died. On May 28, another person on NH44 Jam-Nagpur Highway was run over.
Crash analysis by the non-profit SaveLIFE Foundation over several years has shown unsafe intersections and missing provision of pedestrian walking facilities on highways as well as in urban areas to be key reasons. Another reason is occupants of vehicles stepping out and getting knocked down while crossing the road or getting back into their vehicle.
A pedestrian-friendly road design, with proper zebra crossings, medians and refuge islands is recommended. “Unfortunately, some pedestrian-friendly road designs, such as a trial undertaken by the civic body outside CSMT, were not permanently implemented,” an activist said.
Transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said pedestrians comprised over 30% of crash-related fatalities in cities like Pune. He said pedestrians often get hit from behind or while crossing.
“We also know that speeding is a leading cause of fatalities across the state. It should be curbed through clear and holistic interventions – infrastructure, enforcement, communication – in tandem,” said Dhawal Ashar of the non-profit WRI India.
Encroached or missing footpaths are a key reason for crashes involving pedestrians in Mumbai, said activist Vidyadhar Date.
The latest BMC budget accords priority to pedestrian safety. “This year, we will map footpath facilities for all major roads having a width of more than 9 metres and wherever the footpath is found to be absent or not in good shape, a new CC footpath with smooth walking quality and international surface designs will be constructed in fast track mode,” the budget mentions.
“The state must draft and issue rules under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act for protection and regulation of non-motorised transport, including pedestrians. This has been pending for three years,” said Piyush Tewari, founder, SaveLIFE Foundation.

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