Chennai's Road Safety Crisis: 280 Dead in 2,206 Accidents This Year, Police Commissioner Calls for Action
A total of 280 people have died in 2,206 road accidents reported in Chennai since January 1 this year, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj said on Friday, emphasising that most road crashes are preventable through better compliance with traffic rules and timely intervention.
Addressing a Road Safety Awareness Programme organised by the Greater Chennai Traffic Police at Raja Annamalai Mandram in Broadway, Mr. Amalraj said road accidents claim more lives than many other forms of crime and should not be viewed as inevitable.
“Road accidents are often dismissed as ‘simple accidents’, when in reality they are preventable. By adopting preventive measures and following traffic rules, we can significantly reduce accidents and protect society from their devastating consequences,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the ‘golden hour’ after an accident, the Commissioner urged the public to assist injured victims without fear. “People should not hesitate to help accident victims, fearing police inquiries or court proceedings. Those who come forward to save lives will not face such difficulties,” he said, adding that every minute of delay reduces the victim’s chances of survival.
Mr. Amalraj noted that the steady rise in the number of vehicles, including light commercial vehicles and app-based delivery vehicles, has made road safety a growing challenge. To address this, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police have been conducting sustained awareness campaigns in association with Road Safety Patrol students, Traffic Wardens and other stakeholders, while strengthening enforcement of traffic rules across the city.
During the programme, the Commissioner honoured police personnel, ambulance drivers, nurses, autorickshaw drivers, students and members of the public who rescued accident victims during the critical golden hour and ensured they received timely medical treatment.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B. Shamoondeswari distributed helmets to Road Safety Patrol students, while Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic South) P. Pagalavan presented emoji badges to school and college students.
