Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar roads most unsafe -

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071211/cth3.htm#11
Megha Mann
Tribune News Service

Kharar, December 10
Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar and Patiala are the worst districts in terms of road safety and traffic management in Punjab.
According to an analysis done by Navdeep Asija, scientist with Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Programme (TRIPP), on road safety in Punjab for 2006, these districts have been found to have an alarmingly high rate of accidents.
Fatehgarh Sahib and Ropar have the highest crash ratio and lowest vehicle density.
In 2006, when Mohali was part of Ropar district, maximum number of accidents took place on the Kharar-Kurali stretch leading up to Ropar.
The stretch handles the entire traffic of Punjab towards Chandigarh.
The district-wise breakup in terms of fatal accidents puts Ludhiana on top, followed by Amritsar and Jalandhar.
However, detailed road safety diagnosis on all districts based on severity index, crash ratio, total road length and vehicle density shows a different picture, as Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts come under high alert category. These are followed by Patiala, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar and Nawan Shahr districts.
“Detailed analysis on this parameter reflects the problem of traffic mismanagement in these districts. Every year, insurance companies give away Rs 1,200 crore in form of motor vehicle claims in the state. Even if 10 per cent of this money is spent on research and development on preventive measures and introducing new road technologies, things will be much better,” Navdeep added.
He has sent this analysis with a set of recommendations to DIG, SSP and DCs of all districts of the state.
He has also recommended that safety should be prime concern of every contractor undertaking any road project. “Safety concern is nobody’s baby. When the state government is not committed towards safeguarding lives of pedestrians, cyclists and other commuters, why will private contractors be?” he added.