A fatal incident occurred on the slip road of the Patiala-Zirakpur highway, where a Fortuner collided with a motorbike. Subsequently, the motorbike got trapped between the car’s bonnet and tire and was dragged for 100 meters, resulting in the rider’s death. The car driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, fled the scene. Witnesses claimed that the Fortuner driver was intoxicated. The police have initiated an investigation and seized the body for further examination. The deceased, identified as Narendra Kumar, worked as a driver in a residential society on Nabha Road. He was returning home from duty when the tragic incident took place. The police are currently searching for the absconding car driver.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report highlights Chandigarh as the sole Union Territory and major city in India where a significant number of accidents occur between 9 pm and midnight. According to the data, 26.89% of the total 238 accidents in Chandigarh in happened during this time frame, surpassing national, UT, and major city averages.
Night-time accident trends in Chandigarh
Of the total accidents, 64 occurred between 9 pm and midnight, reflecting a higher percentage than the national average. This pattern is attributed to factors such as overspeeding and increased instances of drunken driving during this time when fewer visible traffic cops are on duty.
Kamaljeet Singh Soi, a member of the national road safety council, attributes the trend to the absence of visible traffic enforcement between 9 pm and midnight. He suggests implementing a shift system for traffic police and enhancing enforcement during evening hours.