According to the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Monday, Chandigarh stands out as the sole Union Territory and major city in the country where the majority of accidents occur between 9 pm and midnight. The data reveals that 26.89% of the total 238 accidents in Chandigarh in 2022, or over one in four accidents, happened between 9 pm and midnight. This percentage is higher than the national average, the UT’s overall average, and the total average of 51 other major cities covered in the NCRB report.
In Chandigarh, 64 out of 238 total accidents were reported between 9 pm and midnight, followed by 36 accidents each between midnight to 3 am and 3 pm to 6 pm, and 35 accidents between 6 pm and 9 pm. Overall, the majority of accidents for states, UTs, and other cities were observed between 6 pm and 9 pm.
In response to the data, Kamaljeet Singh Soi, a member of the National Road Safety Council, highlighted that Chandigarh boasts good road infrastructure, and between 9 pm and midnight, there is a noticeable absence of visible traffic police. This absence often results in overspeeding and an increased incidence of drunken driving, contributing to more accidents. Soi emphasized the need for a shift system for traffic police, focusing on increased enforcement during the evening hours.
Professor Umesh Sharma, Head of the Departing at Punjab Engineering College, expressed the necessity of analyzing detailed data to understand the types of accidents and modes of transport involved during this time.Road safety activist Harpreet Singh pointed out that the body’s internal clock tends to experience fatigue after 3 pm. During the evening commute, people may be tired and prone to overspeeding. Poor lighting affecting visibility and a perception that administration-installed cameras don’t function at night could also contribute to accidents. Singh emphasized the importance of enforcement agencies focusing on nighttime to reduce accidents.According to the report released on Monday, Chandigarh recorded 238 total accidents in 2022, ranking as the fifth-highest among Union Territories.
The incidents resulted in 203 injuries and 83 fatalities, indicating a 14.4% increase in total accidents compared to the previous year.