Jammu’s streets have witnessed tragedy as 88 lives were claimed and over 1,000 individuals suffered injuries in road accidents across Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch in just the first seven months of this year. The Traffic Police Rural Jammu initiated a special drive targeting two-wheeler violations, which contributed to 44 percent of these accidents, leading to the penalization of 8,675 riders, an official reported on Tuesday.
Running from September 1 to 14, this awareness and enforcement campaign stemmed from a detailed analysis of accident data. The statistics from the Traffic Police revealed alarming trends regarding two-wheeler involvement in crash incidents across these four districts.
From January 1 to July 31, a total of 699 accidents occurred, with 88 fatalities and injuries reported among 1,001 individuals. Importantly, the analysis highlighted that two-wheelers were involved in 309 accidents, representing 44 percent of the total incidents.
Out of these, two-wheelers were linked to 39 fatal accidents. Almost 384 individuals sustained injuries in two-wheeler-related crashes, while 144 single-vehicle accidents involved these motorbikes, according to the police spokesperson.
When examining accident locations, the report indicated a worrying trend, stating that 102 accidents (41 percent) on National Highways involved two-wheelers, and on other roads, 210 accidents (47 percent) were attributed to them.
Among the victims, a striking 27 percent were under the age of 26 years. Furthermore, out of the total of 699 road accidents during the identified period, 445 accidents (64 percent) involved single vehicles alone.
In response to these distressing numbers, the Traffic Police Rural Jammu launched a thorough awareness campaign along with stringent enforcement across all four districts. The spokesperson elaborated on the positive impact of this initiative.
Of the total 8,675 challans issued during the drive, a significant portion targeted specific violations. Riders faced penalties for riding without helmets, accounting for 5,767 cases. Additionally, 1,152 pillion riders were fined for failing to wear helmets, while 1,106 violations for triple riding were noted. The drive also resulted in action against 188 riders for using mobile phones while driving, as well as 260 for dangerous driving practices and 146 for operating without a valid driving license.
In a notable discovery, three minors were caught illegally operating two-wheelers, leading to the seizure of their vehicles. The enforcement effort led to 187 vehicles being confiscated for various traffic violations.
During this period, the authorities conducted 267 awareness programs across educational institutions, tuition centers, bus stands, and other public venues. These sessions aimed to educate citizens—especially the youth—about road safety norms and the provisions outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act.
Moreover, the Traffic Police Rural Jammu organized on-road road safety counseling sessions in Rajouri and Poonch, establishing dedicated canopies for direct interaction with road users. This initiative adopted an innovative “no-challan, only counseling” approach, where riders could engage in discussions focused on helmet usage, traffic discipline, safe driving practices, and the repercussions of reckless behavior on the roads.
According to the spokesperson, these respectful dialogues were integral in changing perceptions, as no challans were distributed during these counseling sessions.
In light of these compelling findings, Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser announced plans for similar drives targeting Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and other vehicle categories in the near future. He urged all motorists to stringently comply with traffic regulations and the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. He further warned that stringent enforcement against violators will persist, prioritizing public safety.
