What Happened in J&K's Kathua? Two Lives Lost in Road Mishap

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two fatalities occurred in a road accident in Kathua.
- Three individuals are currently hospitalized.
- Authorities are emphasizing traffic safety in hilly areas.
- Helmet usage is crucial for two-wheeler riders.
- Special squads are monitoring traffic violations.
Jammu, Aug 3 (NationPress) Tragically, two individuals lost their lives and three others sustained injuries on Sunday due to a road accident in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the incident occurred when a vehicle skidded off the road along the Kathua-Basohli route near Kainta Morh (Dakhnaka).
“The mishap transpired around 12:40 a.m. when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash. A police team from Basantpur quickly arrived at the scene, rescuing the victims and transporting them to the Government Medical College (GMC), Kathua,” stated officials.
Medical personnel at GMC confirmed the deaths of two injured individuals, Mohinder Paul and Pawan Madhan. Three other victims, hailing from Ferozepur in Punjab, are currently receiving medical attention. The police are investigating the incident further, as noted by officials.
In the hilly terrains of Jammu and Kashmir, factors such as reckless driving, excessive speed, overloading, and poorly maintained roads are highlighted by traffic department officials as significant contributors to such accidents.
Specialized squads have been deployed to monitor traffic violations in mountainous regions. Regional Transport authorities in both Kashmir and Jammu have been actively promoting traffic regulations to ensure vehicle owners and drivers are aware of the severe penalties for infractions, including the possible cancellation of driving licenses and vehicle registrations. Parents allowing minor children to operate vehicles face legal repercussions as well.
Moreover, it is mandated that two-wheeler riders and their passengers must wear helmets. Fuel stations have been instructed not to sell fuel to riders without helmets, and as a part of community outreach, traffic officials in Jammu and Srinagar have been distributing crash helmets to riders after educating them on the risks of riding without proper headgear.
Statistics reveal that 90% of fatalities in two-wheeler accidents are due to head injuries, which could be mitigated through the use of helmets that meet safety standards.