Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 03 January 2024
The Andaman and Nicobar Traffic Police have unveiled staggering figures for traffic violations in the archipelago throughout 2023. A jaw-dropping sum of INR 1,09,59,200 was amassed in fines from motorists caught flouting traffic regulations, marking a concerning trend in road safety.
Tweeting the statistics, the official Twitter handle of the A & N Traffic Police revealed that the fines—totaling INR 1,09,59,200—was collected due to punitive actions taken against 17,105 vehicles over the course of the year. Additionally, the enforcement authorities booked 1649 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol, emphasising the pressing issue of drunk driving in the region.
The rising number of accidents in the Islands has sparked worries among the Islanders, prompting calls for heightened awareness and behavioural shifts within the driving community to mitigate these alarming statistics.
Beyond the challenges of driving behaviour, the deplorable state of many roads across the islands remains a prominent concern for drivers. Insufficient road quality contributes significantly to accidents, urging authorities not only to prioritise road safety but also to ensure that road conditions meet established standards to avert accidents arising from poor infrastructure.
Addressing the need for comprehensive solutions, it is imperative for the administration to not only guarantee well-maintained roads but also expand the road network in Port Blair. With the city experiencing a perpetual surge in traffic, expanding the road infrastructure becomes crucial to manage the growing vehicular influx and enhance overall road safety.
As the island community grapples with these challenges, a holistic approach encompassing awareness, road quality improvements, and infrastructure expansion emerges as the key to fostering safer roads and curbing the escalating rate of traffic incidents in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.