Pune-Mumbai : A robust campaign to enhance road safety on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has yielded positive outcomes, marked by a noteworthy reduction in accidents between January and December 2023 compared to the previous year. Spearheaded by the Highway Police and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the initiative prioritized extensive awareness programs and strict enforcement of traffic regulations.
Data released by the state transport department reveals a substantial decrease in accidents on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway during 2023. In 2022, a total of 329 accidents were reported, with 152 being fatal and 186 resulting in casualties. In stark contrast, the corresponding period in 2023 witnessed a decrease, with 271 reported accidents, 103 being fatal, and 126 lives lost. This signifies a remarkable 17.62 per cent reduction in overall accidents, a 32.23 per cent drop in fatal accidents, and a corresponding 32.25 per cent decrease in fatalities.
The success in accident reduction is attributed to proactive measures taken by the Highway Police and RTO. Frequent awareness programs aimed at educating motorists about traffic rules have played a crucial role. Moreover, punitive actions against traffic rule violators have been enforced, discouraging reckless behaviour on the expressway.
As part of the comprehensive awareness campaign, the RTO department has provided traffic rules lessons to a staggering 65,000 motorists who violated traffic rules in the past year. Instead of imposing penalties, these drivers and their families were educated about traffic regulations in specially designated air-conditioned rooms, with water facilities provided for a conducive learning environment.
Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar shared insights into the initiative, stating, “To prevent accidents on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the RTO department is running a public awareness campaign. Punitive action has also been taken against those who violate traffic rules. So, in the last year, 65,000 motorists who violated traffic rules were given information about traffic rules instead of penal action.”
The RTO department and highway police have targeted common causes of accidents, such as speeding, drowsy driving, and erratic lane changes. Road safety campaigns have been instrumental in creating public awareness about adhering to traffic rules, contributing to the significant decrease in accidents on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
