REPORT ON

AIRPORT LIGHTPOINT : AN ACCIDENT

PRONE AREA

Submitted to : Submitted by:

Dr Umesh Sharma Avinash Pandit

[18202001]

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 CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………………………….03

ACCIDENT PRONE AREAS OF CHANDIGARH…………………………………………..……….03

FACTS AND FIGURES………………………………………………………………………………….…..04

STUDY AREA…………………………………………………………………………………………….….…07

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS AS PER THE STUDY…………………………………………………….09

REMEDIES………………………………………………………………………………………………………12

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 INTRODUCTION
Chandigarh roads were designed to provide fast movement for vehicular traffic whilst providing
safe mobility to children and pedestrians within and between the sectors. However, having one
of the best roads in India, Chandigarh has also got a number of accident-prone areas. We all
know that Chandigarh is known for its wide roads with smartly planned roundabouts to ensure
smooth connectivity as well as free flow of traffic in and around Chandigarh but the city also
sees a lot of accidents every year.

Chandigarh has witnessed 83 deaths and several cases of fatal accidents in the last 3 years. As
many as 11 accident-prone spots have been announced in Chandigarh taking into consideration
the number of accidents. These accident prone areas in Chandigarh have taken more lives than
anybody else.

ACCIDENT PRONE AREAS IN CHANDIGARH

 Kalagram Light Point

 Poultry Farm Chowk
 Airport Light Point
 Hallo Majra Light Point
 Sector 46/47/48/49 Light Point
 Tribune Chowk
 Lightpoint at EWS Colony, Mauli Jagran
 Sector 40/41-54/55 (Badheri Chowk)
 Sector 52/43 dividing road
 Mandela Light Point
 Sector 25/38 Light Point

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 NO. OF ACCIDENTS RECORDED IN 2016-17

 Kalagram Light Point = 10

 Poultry Farm Chowk = 10
 Sector 45/46/49/50 Light Point = 8
 Airport Light Point = 7
 Hallo Majra Light Point = 6
 Sector 46/47/48/49 Light Point = 6
 Housing Board Light Point = 6

All these accidents were fatal ones. The growing population and the increasing number of
vehicles on Chandigarh roads are two factors that can be a cause of accidents. However, driving
with responsibility and always obeying traffic rules will certainly bring these numbers down

SOME FACTS AND FIGURES

 According to recent study conducted by the Chandigarh traffic police, it was found that
over-speeding caused most of the accidents, followed by drunken driving. Human
negligence is also a major reason for accidents on these fatal points in Chandigarh that
have been named as Chandigarh’s accident prone areas.

 Traffic police often blames it on lapses on part of road engineering like overly congested
roads, absence of slip roads and traffic signals for accidents.

 A road crash analysis done by the Road Safety Cell of the traffic police states that the
number of deaths reported last year was the lowest in the past 22 years. The city saw a
fall in road accident deaths in comparison to 2017 when 107 persons had died in road
accidents. While 342 accidents were reported in 2017, the number fell to 316 in 2018.

 According to the police, out of the 316 accidents, 219 were non-fatal and 97 fatal. Of the
total accidents, 293 were due to rash driving, while 12 were caused due to drunken
driving, 10 due to red light jumping and one due to wrong-side driving.

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 Among the road accident deaths, 40.81 per cent were two-wheeler riders, 35.71 per
cent were pedestrians, while 11.22 per cent were cyclists. Among the 98 people who
died on city roads, 83 were male, while the remaining 15 were females.

 According to the study, 149 accidents took place after the vehicles were hit from the
side, which left 50 people dead and 140 injured. Similarly, 108 accidents took place after
the victims were hit from the rear, which led to the death of 35 persons and left 87
injured. Interestingly, only 41 accidents took place due to head-on collision that left
eight dead and 57 injured. The remaining 18 accidents took place due to various other
reasons, including hit-and-run, with parked vehicle and collision with a fixed object on
the roadside.

 Rash driving was behind 93.72 per cent road accidents reported from the city last year.
Of the 316 road accident cases registered in the city, 293 were due to rash driving. The
majority of the road accidents could have been averted had people driven sensibly.

Sex Ratio Of Mishap Victims in Chandigarh

Male [84.69 %]
Female[15.3%]

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DEATHS IN LAST FIVE YEARS IN CHANDIGARH

Pedestrians Cyclists Total

2018 35 11 98

2017 32 13 107

2016 38 28 151

2015 47 17 129

2014 44 18 131

Vehicle wise deaths in 2018 in Chandigarh

Auto [3.06%]

Cars/Jeap [7.13%]

Cyclists [11.22%]
Vehicle wise deaths in 2018

Pedestrian [35.71]

Two Wheeler [40.81]

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00%

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STUDY AREA
The area of study was Airport Lightpoint. It is one of the accident prone areas of Chandigarh. It
is at grade signalized intersection on Dakshin Marg. Here a major road of 8 lane divided 2 way
meets a minor road of 4 lane divided 2 way and a village road of single lane 2 way. As per 2016-
17 data, Airport Lightpoint recorded 7 fatal accidents.

LOCATION ON MAP

STP Raipur Khurd

Ambala

CPRF

ITBP
HQ ‘N’ Area

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LINE DIAGRAM OF THE STUDY AREA

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CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS AS PER THE STUDY

1. Non Availability of designated cycle track:

There is no separate cycle track at airport lightpoint due to which cyclists have to move
with the other vehicle on main road. This renders the cyclists at risk at all times.

Figure 1 Cyclist moving with other vehicles on the major road

2. Defective pedestrian signals :

At Airport light point none of the four pedestrian signals installed work properly. They
show stop signal at all times. This ineffective arrangement adds up to the risk factor of a
probable accident.

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Figure 2 Pedestrian signal showing red light at all times

3. Vehicles accumulating at the center of the intersection:

People have a tendency to accumulate at the center of the intersection and then wait
there for their signal. This in turn leads to conflict of routes of other vehicles causing
terrible collisions.

Figure 3 People stopping in the middle of intersection

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 4. Poor enforcement of Traffic Rules:
There is no traffic police official monitoring the lightpoint. Due to this negligence on the
part of traffic authorities, people don’t feel the need to strictly follow traffic rules.
Troubling situations like overspeeding and drunken driving go unchecked and eventually
lead to accidents.

5. Public Attitude:
Human negligence is also a major reason for accidents. People don’t realize the
importance of adherence to traffic rules and show carefree attitude. Rash driving, red
light jumping, wrong side driving and illegal drivers increase the chances of an accident.

6. Overcrowded Service Lane:

Service lanes were overcrowded beyond its capacity. Two wheelers try to fit in small
gaps thus undermining their own safety. Due to this safe distance between the vehicles
get reduced which eventually increases probability of vehicles colliding with each other.
Also vehicles coming from service lane try to cross main road traffic. This can cause fatal
side collision.

Figure 4 Service lane seen overcrowded at airport lightpoint

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REMEDIES

1. Replacing the defective pedestrian lights:

Pedestrian signals should always be in working condition. Time to time monitoring of
these signals is necessary followed by the repair work if required.

2. Public Awareness:
Educating the public regarding traffic rules and lifesaving first aid skills should be
done regularly by expert lectures, media and also by including it in teaching
curriculum for schools and colleges. Adequate training should be given before
issuing driving licenses.

3. Designated cycle track:

Provision of a designated cycle track should be there. This will provide following
benefits:
 Relieve congestion on main road.
 Safe passage of cyclists, therefore reduced cyclist fatalities/accidents.

4. Strict Enforcement:
Traffic police is required to check the following-
 Overspeeding.
 Drunken driving.
 Vehicle accumulation at the center of intersection.
 People breaking traffic signal.

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