Safety drive to reduce accidents

Kochi: The Ernakulam Road Transport Authority has identified accident-prone spots in the district and deployed officers there in preparation for the Sabarimala pilgrim season. It is hoped that the project titled ‘Safe Zone- Sabarimala’ will bring down the accident rate which is high as there is a heavy flow of vehicles to Sabarimala.

“This is part of a state-wide project which starts right from the Walayar check post. Officers are deployed at different spots to control traffic and prevent accidents. The Sabarimala pilgrims are also provided with leaflets carrying route maps to help them reach Sabarimala easily,” said B.J. Antony, the regional transport officer of Ernakulam.

The Mobile Enforcement Squad of the motor vehicle department has been leading the safety drive. The deployment is concentrated within 100 km of Pampa, but officers are also posted on the Seaport-Airport stretch and Aluva-Muvattupuzha- Thodupuzha stretch, where the accident rates are very high. “The drive in this region starts from Paliyekkara toll. Pilgrims are advised to take the easier routes so that they need not meet with heavy traffic,” the RTO added.

The pilgrims have been told to reduce speed. November, December and January see the most number of accidents in Kerala, according to the state crime records bureau. The police and the motor vehicle department agree that it’s the heavy flow of vehicles from outside the state that cause most of the accidents.