There was an average of 50 road accident-related emergencies in Ahmedabad daily, which is the highest among all other cities in Gujarat this year. Data released by GVK-Emergency Medical Research Institute, which runs the 108 ambulance services, indicated that of the 96,669 vehicle accident emergencies reported in the state till November 16, Ahmedabad topped with 16% (15776), making it the city with the most unsafe roads in Gujarat.

So far, this year 190 people have been killed in road accidents in Ahmedabad. Surat, at second place, reported a daily average of 30 emergencies on roads, while 22 cases were handled in Vadodara and 20 in Rajkot.

On the eve of ‘World day for remembrance of road traffic victims’ which falls on Sunday, EMRI officials said the data just goes on to emphasise that traffic rules should be strictly followed. Among the worst instances is that of Hiren Prajapati, 27, a resident of Gota, who was passing from SG Highway near Sola overbridge in August when his car was hit by a speeding truck. The car was flung across the circle hitting another car and killing Prajapati. Two others were injured.

“In 2009, 267 casualties were reported on the city roads. Though the number of cases have seen a slight dip, we are concerned about the growing instances of road rage and hit-and-run cases. In many of the cases, the victims are sole bread earners of the family,” said DCP (traffic) MM Anarwala.

GVK EMRI officials said that they primarily observe cases of multiple vehicular accidents, pedestrian accidents and hit-and-run cases. “In many instances, deaths were prevented due to prompt participation of people who called in time. The number of calls has increased due to awareness. Many of the incidents take place on the highways and outer areas where more cases of overspeeding are reported,” said a GVK EMRI official. Source by The Times of India