SRINAGAR: In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 4,165 accidents were reported up to August 2023. Among these, 499 were fatal, while 3,666 were non-fatal. Tragically, 580 individuals lost their lives, and 5,565 others sustained injuries in these incidents.
In the preceding year, 2022, there were 6,092 road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the unfortunate demise of 805 individuals and injuries to 8,372.
According to the latest data available with The Excelsior, the highest number of fatalities in road accidents for the current year, up to August 2023, occurred in the Jammu District, with 134 people losing their lives and 900 sustaining injuries. This was followed by Kathua District, where 58 people died, and 476 were injured, and 43 lives were lost, with 333 individuals injured in various incidents.
Other districts with a high number of casualties and injuries in road accidents include Anantnag District in South Kashmir, with 38 fatalities and 286 injuries; Udhampur District, recording 30 fatalities and a significant 498 injuries; bordering Rajouri District, where 30 individuals lost their lives, and 336 were injured; Samba District, with 30 fatalities and 243 injuries; and Reasi District, which reported 29 casualties and 350 injuries. Additionally, Poonch Town witnessed 13 fatalities and 200 injuries in the first eight months of 2023.
In the hilly terrain of Doda District, 23 people succumbed to road accidents, while 220 were injured up to August 2023. Kishtwar District reported 24 casualties and 96 injuries, while Ramban District recorded 21 fatalities and 217 injuries during the same period.
When examining the month-wise breakdown of fatalities in accidents, May of this year had the highest number, with 94 individuals losing their lives, followed by 89 in July, 75 in March, 74 in June, 69 in August, 66 in February, 59 in April, and 54 in January of this year.
Regarding the number of traffic violations, City Srinagar, Rural Kashmir, City Jammu, Rural Jammu, and NHW Ramban police issued a total of 93,302 challans. This was followed by 105,117 challans in February of this year, 126,923 in March, 102,878 in April, and 142,206 in May.
