Jabalpur, April 17 (IANS) Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety Chairman Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre reviewed road safety measures in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur, stressing stricter enforcement and sustained awareness to reduce accidents and fatalities.

At a meeting with senior district officials late on Thursday, data presented by Jabalpur traffic ASP Anjana Tiwari showed that 3,372 road accidents were reported in 2025, claiming 666 lives and leaving 2,471 seriously injured.

A comparison of January-March figures indicated improvement in 2026, with accidents dropping by 3.41 per cent to 962, fatalities declining by 9.01 per cent to 154, and injuries falling by 13.89 per cent to 1,091.

During the meeting, officials highlighted progress in addressing accident-prone ‘black spots’. Their number has reduced from 47 in 2025 to 41, with no accidents reported at six locations after corrective measures.

So far in 2026, a total of 22 accidents at 12 black spots resulted in six deaths and 10 injuries, according to an official statement from Jabalpur district administration.

Young people aged 25-35 and two-wheeler riders were identified as the most vulnerable groups, while rural areas recorded more accidents than urban regions. Authorities emphasised helmet and seat belt use as critical to reducing fatalities.

During the meeting, Justice Sapre directed agencies to improve signage, remove encroachments, strengthen highway patrolling, and expedite black spot rectification.

He also called for road safety audits of new infrastructure, installation of cameras to check over-speeding, and stricter action against repeat offenders, including licence suspension.

Officials informed that action has been initiated against 264 motorists so far in 2026.

Proposals to mandate helmets for government employees and students were also discussed, alongside stricter checks on licences, insurance, and drunk driving, with a focus on wider public awareness campaigns

Jabalpur Collector Raghavendra Singh said regular monitoring is being carried out through District Road Safety Committee meetings.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Sampat Upadhyay noted that enforcement has been intensified, with over 1.09 lakh challans issued in 2025 and 28,555 till March 2026, along with counselling of violators.

This review is being held by the Supreme Court vide its April 2014 order to measure and monitor the implementation of various laws relating to motor vehicles. Its committee coordinates with all state governments and UTs to monitor the road safety scenario.

–IANS

pd/dpb