Bikers, pedestrians make up majority casualties in road accidents in Nashik city

Nashik: Vulnerable road users, mainly two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, remain the primary victims of accidents in Nashik city — accounting for over 80% of the total deaths. As per data, out of 185 road fatalities registered so far this year (till Nov-end), 96 were two-wheeler riders and 53 were pedestrians, representing 52% and 29% respectively. This trend is consistent with previous years as in 2024, 56% of the 197 deaths were two-wheelers riders and 32% were pedestrians. The year 2023 witnessed a total of 208 deaths with bikers making up 64% and pedestrians 27% of the total fatalities.Besides severe deficiency in pedestrian infrastructure, data suggests that the high frequency of these accidents stems largely from reckless driving and excessive speeding. Most roads in the city lack dedicated footpaths, and where they do exist, they are frequently encroached upon. Consequently, pedestrians are left exposed on busy roadways, facing the constant danger of being struck by vehicles from behind. Ram Pawar, a senior citizen from Nashik Road area who recently moved to the city from Mumbai, said, "Roads in Nashik appear more risky than those in Mumbai. In Mumbai, there is a proper system in place for pedestrians to cross the busy road. Most of the time, the traffic signals are manned by traffic constables. But that is not the case in Nashik. Here, neither a motorist is bothered about accidentally hitting a pedestrian, nor the pedestrian is worried that he may get hit."Nashik RTO registers over 1 lakh new vehicles every year, out of which 70,000 are two-wheelers. ACP (crime) Sandeep Mitke, while talking to TOI, said, "The police, under the guidance of commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik, are making efforts to control the number of accidents occurring on the city streets. As part of this, various drives are conducted from time to time."Abhay Kulkarni of Nashik First Organisation, which operates the Children's Traffic Education Park at Mumbai Naka, said, "A large number of people die in road accidents every year. These deaths can be prevented, given the govt is serious about it. This is a common responsibility of the RTO, police and departments like the PWD and National Highways Authority who construct and repair the roads. Traffic education should also be incorporated into school syllabus, considering the large number of deaths every year across state and country."