SHILLONG: “Speed thrills but kills” is a famous phrase which can be found along roadsides and the phrase reminds people about the need to drive safely. But many a time, people tend to overlook such messages and in the process, many lives are lost.
The recent incident at Shillong bypass, in which four persons were killed, has once again raised the oft-asked question about the need to make people realise the importance of life, both theirs and others.
Several accidents took place on the Shillong bypass and Umiam-Jorabat four-lane road, which is under the supervision of the National Highway Authority of India.
An NHAI official said on Wednesday the authority does safety audits regularly. He added that rash and drunk driving are the common causes of accidents.
Stating that the Supreme Court has come up with a host of directives to make roads safe and secure, the official added that the chances of accidents are more on two-lane roads since there are no road dividers.
When asked about the safety measures in two major roads of the state, the official said the authority has its own highway patrol vehicle and ambulances and NHAI is also tied up with 108 ambulance service.
The official also said it has planned more innovations to improve road safety throughout the country and the issue of installing CCTV cameras in highways will be the prerogative of the respective state governments.
Four persons were killed and another six injured when the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a 12-wheeler truck on Monday morning in Ri Bhoi district.
