Implications of Increasing Road Accidents – A Study of Ludhiana City and National Highway-95 (NH95)
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Date
2020
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the increasing road accidents and its implications by taking Ludhiana city and National Highway 95 as the area of study. Based on 300 respondents, consisting 150 respondents each from NH95 and Ludhiana city selected by purposive sampling technique, study led to conclusion that accident victims had socio-economic and psychological impact post accidents. Majority of the victims were males (87.6) and (56 %) aged in between 21 – 50 years. More than half of them belonged to general caste and (51%) sikh religion (59%). 54 per cent had two wheelers followed by pedestrians and cycle riders. About one third victims did not possess driving license and knowledge of road signs. Almost all the respondents did not have insurance coverage with them. Overspeed (66.6%), rash driving (64.6%), negligence of driver (45.3%), alcohol consumption (26%) etc turned to be major contributory factors of road accidents. Further, the study found unemployment (65%), family disturbance (90%), loss of mobility (84%), raised anxiety (84%), trauma (72%) and depression (41%) were the major socio-economic and psychological effects faced by accident victims. Respiratory diseases, inadequate staff, long working hours, improper equipments and hurdles put by authorities and politicians were the problems faced by traffic police personnel while traffic management. To provide mechanisms for prompt first aid on the spot (71.6%), emotional and medical help (29.3%), stop hearing mobile phones (34%), to avoid alcohol and drugs (62%), ego and frustrations (35%), improvement in road infrastructure (57%), provision of street lights (25%) and sign boards (55%), were some of the suggestions given by the victim respondents at societal, individual and governmental level.