Guwahati, Feb 6: Meghalaya is witnessing a positive shift in road safety. Data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reveals a decline in both road accidents and fatalities in the state, as well as notable trends across the Northeast region. The country wide data on road accidents was released in the Parliament on Feb 6 in a question raised by Dean Kuriakose.
In 2022, Meghalaya recorded 246 road accidents, a slight but significant decrease from the previous year’s 245 incidents. Fatalities also showed a positive trend, dropping from 187 in 2021 to 162 in 2022. While the improvement may appear modest, it marks a crucial step forward in addressing the state’s road safety concerns. There were 399 road accidents in the stare in 2018 which have come down to 246 in 2022.
A total of 182 people had lost their lives in road accidents in 2018 which have come down to 162 in 2022 in Meghalaya.
The decline in fatalities is not unique to Meghalaya. Neighboring states such as Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have also witnessed varying trends. Assam recorded a drop in road accidents from 7,411 in 2021 to 7,023 in 2022, with fatalities slightly decreasing from 3,036 to 2,994 during the same period. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh saw a decline in accidents from 283 in 2021 to 227 in 2022, though fatalities remained steady at around 148.
The Meghalaya High Court has already directed the state government to suitably mark the speed brakers so that they are discernable from a reasonable distance to avoid road accidents.
Disposing of a PIL on the matter, the bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, “It would be desirable if the speed brakers are preceded by a signage, wherever possible so that the motorists can be made aware of the need to reduce speed.”
It also directed, “the State is to ensure that speed detection devices, wherever required are suitably installed and maintained.”
The Directorate of School Education and Literacy in Meghalaya in 2024 had issued an urgent advisory on road safety, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance among students, parents, and schools to prevent accidents. The directive comes in light of recent concerns about dangerous commuting practices among students, particularly those riding two-wheelers without helmets or licenses, which puts their own lives and others at risk.
In the advisory, the department noted alarming incidents where schoolchildren were found riding recklessly and without proper safety gear, including helmets. Furthermore, some parents, while dropping off their children, were observed not wearing helmets and engaging in hazardous driving practices such as speeding.
