SHILLONG: Killer road accidents have been on a steady rise in the State in the past few years with as many as 163 deaths reported in road accidents from 2011 till June, 2014 in east Khasi Hills District alone.
As per data released by the Shillong Traffic Police, till June 30 this year, 82 road accidents have taken place in which 19 persons have been killed and 120 persons have been injured.
In 2013, there were a total of 200 road accidents in the district in which 41 people were killed and 240 injured. In 2012, 159 accidents were reported in which 53 persons were killed and 200 persons were injured.
In 2011, there were 131 road accidents in which 50 persons were killed and 159 persons were injured.
Rise in the number of vehicles in the city has been attributed to the growing instances of road accidents, and coupled with the absence of any road expansion plans or projects, the city streets and roads have become prone to severe accidents, sometimes fatal.
SP (Traffic) NK Syiem, said that the situation is alarming since road accidents are taking place almost every day.
Another factor that contributes significantly to road accidents is that in many cases vehicles are driven under the influence of liquor. Cases of rash driving by bikers are common in the city and the outskirts, especially on weekends, the department observed.
