Lowest number of fatal accidents this Holi since 2006

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) This Holi was the safest in Delhi since 2006 with the lowest number of fatal accidents, a police officer said here Saturday. A total of 11,492 vehicles were fined for various traffic violations during the festival.

"Strict traffic and police enforcement resulted in only eight fatal accidents leading to the death of eight people, which is the lowest fatal accidents reported in the city on the occasion of Holi since 2006," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla said.

The largest number of casualties on Holi was reported in 2006 when 22 people were killed in 20 fatal accidents. In 2014, 11 fatal accidents took place during the festival.

A total of 14 fatal accidents were reported in 2013 and in 2012 it was 13. At least 11 fatal accidents were reported in 2011 and 15 in 2010. Police, however, did not give details about 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Shukla said: "Despite our efforts, several people violated traffic rules and we issued 11,492 challans on the occasion of Holi (Friday). Most of the people were drunk drivers."

A total of 1,569 people were challaned for drunken driving -- including 336 prosecutions of registered vehicle owners who allowed their vehicles to be driven by unauthorised people or drunk drivers -- and 898 for over speeding.

Also 787 vehicles were challaned for traffic signal jumping and 418 revellers were fined for not wearing seat belts while driving. A total of 971 vehicles were also impounded from different places, police said.

In addition, 249 vehicles were challaned for wrong parking, 192 for dangerous driving, 787 for triple riding on two-wheeler, 954 for two-wheeler rider or pillion not wearing helmet.

A total of 1,383 vehicles were challaned in 2014 while 10,339 prosecutions were done in 2013.

Besides, police received over 2,000 calls at the Police Control Room and attended to around 500.

The police had made elaborate traffic arrangements to ensure the safety of motorists. Special checking teams with alcometres were deployed at major intersections to detect and prosecute violations.

Over 200 special traffic police checking teams were spread all over Delhi to check drunken driving, over speeding, reckless driving and violation of traffic rules.

"Joint checking against drunken driving was undertaken jointly by Delhi Traffic Police, Police Control Room and local staff of respective police stations," said Shukla.