SHILLONG: Speeding on the Guwahati-Shillong road and Shillong bypass is a common phenomenon causing frequent accidents.
Hundreds of vehicles ply daily on the two main roads in the State. But most of the vehicles tend to speed as both the roads are in good condition.
Speaking on the matter, Ri Bhoi SP Ramesh Singh said police have two highway patrolling units besides night patrolling on the highways.
“We are trying to ensure that people follow traffic rules,” the SP said, adding that different police units stationed at the two highways also step in if there is any emergency.
In addition, the police and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) have identified some accident-prone areas. They are working together to handle emergencies on the road. The NHAI has also put up telephones and important notices on different stretches of the roads, where emergency service numbers have been written in case of emergencies on the highways.
The other important roads, like the Shillong-Jowai-Silchar Road and the Shillong-Nongstoin Road, are also prone to accidents.
The Meghalaya police statistics reveal that there were 282 cases of road accidents in the State last year in which 204 people died while 372 people were injured.
In 2015, there were 572 road accidents which resulted in the death of 207 people and 763 people were injured. The statistics also say that over-taking and careless driving are among the common reasons for accidents in the State followed by over-speeding.
