Even after the state government rolled out several preventive measures at the Delhi–Jaipur Highway, the rate accidents at National Highway-8 continues to remain high.
According to recent figures, calculated between January and February, 184 accidents have been reported at National Highway 8. These accidents have caused 64 deaths and left 187 injured.
Two-wheeler commuters and pedestrians continue to be vulnerable at NH-8. Among the 64 dead, 28 were two-wheeler commuters and 20 were pedestrians.
Each year, more than 1,000 accidents are reported from the National Highways, causing the death of hundreds of commuters.
In 2016, out of 1,201 accidents, there were 420 deaths and 1,213 injuries. In 2015, out of 1,142 accidents, 435 were reported dead with 1,087 injured.
Interestingly, at NH-8 more accidents take place during day time than at night.
This year, from January-February, 116 accidents were reported during the day time and 68 during the night.
In 2016 too, 748 accidents had taken place in the sunlight while 453 were reported occurred during after sunset.
To avoid accidents, the Government authorities have taken action against the erring auto and overloaded heavy commercial vehicles plying in NH-8. Also, police officials have been deployed at the major intersections along NH-8 to curb accidents.
Despite these preventive measures, the commuters feel that many still flout the traffic rules while at the highway.
"NH-8 is unsafe for commuters. To begin with, there are no proper cuts and diversions for commuters. There is also negligible action taken by authorities on overspeeding and rash driving. There is also no system of three-wheelers and private buses plying in the area," said Rajeev Verma, a daily commuter at NH-8.
He also stated that these problems have been compounded by the construction activities at the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. "With the area seeing massive jam, most of the two wheelers try to violate the traffic rules and makes themselves as well as other susceptible to accidents," added Verma.
Taking into cognisance of the increased accident caused due to overloaded heavy commercial vehicles, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has started taking action against the overloaded trucks.
"In February, the RTA collected more than one crore as fine. A substantial part of that fine came from the stringent measures adopted against overloaded trucks plying in the National Highway for the safety of the commuters," said Trilok Chand, Secretary RTA.