GUWAHATI: Guwahati has witnessed a high number of accidents in the year 2020. Overall there were 615 cases of road accidents out of which 182 cases were fatal and a total of 189 people died. The number of non-fatal and injured cases was 433 and 415 respectively. The month of December is not included in these figures.
In 2019, a total of 931 road accidents occurred in Guwahati. Out of these accidents, 240 were fatal and a total of 249 people died. The number of non-fatal accidents was 691 where 836 people were left injured.
The high number of cases has occurred despite the city having a prolonged period of lockdown.
The main reasons for the accidents
One of the reasons why accidents have been on the rise is due to over speeding vehicles.
"Most of the fatal accidents occur due to over speeding. It is a natural psyche of humans to excel. If given a chance they are sure to achieve infinity in speed,” said the local traffic policeman of Lachitnagar area to G Plus.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) further stated that reckless driving has been a key factor for the rise in accidents. "The main reason behind accidents is reckless driving," said the DCP (Traffic), Pranjit Bora.
Earlier, on 27th of November this year, a traffic police constable of Basistha police station, Guwahati died in an accident at night after he was hit by a truck.
Reckless driving is a major contributing factor to road morbidity and mortality and also disobedience of traffic rules remains another factor.
Emergency ward doctors want better emergency treatment facilities
An important factor post accidents is the medical treatment received by the injured. Guwahati often experiences over-crowding in its emergency service facilities.
"We are always flooded with emergency cases. We need to consider the various aspects of overcrowding to overcome the emerging challenges. Proper facilities should be further facilitated by the government," said Dr Basab Raja, an emergency ward doctor of GMCH to G Plus.
The crucial hour is the period of time following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical and surgical treatment will prevent death. It depends on the condition of the patient and the required treatment that is given to them. “If the injury is in the brain or other major organs they are given immediate treatment. I have been transferred here from Karnataka and it's been a year. The major drawback here is lack of facilities," the doctor further added.
Road infrastructure also contributes to hindrances in providing prompt medical facilities to the patients.
"The major factors that contribute to accidents are the roads that are not motorable. The roads have to be made more motorable and re-planned properly. The unplanned connection of flyovers causes a lot of problems in maintaining a minimal speed," added a surgeon.
The medical fraternity also emphasised the need for the citizens to be aware of basic medical protocols.
“Internal bleeding, brain haemorrhage are a few factors that we have to keep in mind while examining patients. The major factors that are responsible for accidents are carelessness of the citizens," said Dr Kabita Deb to G Plus.