Dimapur, Dec 28 (MExN): This December, Christmas spirit gripped the city – so did the spirit of alcohol on automobile drivers in the town as indicated by the number of accidents recorded in the Dimapur Traffic Control Room.
According to records registered in the traffic register, a number of sixteen accidents occurred in the city between the period from December 20-27; three accidents on December 20, one on the 22nd, two on the 23rd, four on the 24th, two on Christmas day, and still two accidents more, each on December 26 and the 27th.
On the whole, the accidents resulted in the death of three persons and injuries to around fourteen persons. The minor accidents which occurred during this festive period were not recorded; and heaven knows how much that would be, those accidents that went without being registered with the traffic police.
A traffic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the number of auto mobile accidents in the town might be more than that of those registered.
On the query why the ‘minor accidents’ were not registered, a traffic official, disclosed that in most of the accident cases, owners or drivers of the involved vehicles which met accidents compromised and settled the matter among themselves without reporting the accident to the concerned authorities. The cause of the accidents, according to the traffic official, was mostly due to rash driving mixed with alcohol.
The traffic official lamented that ‘young children’ drive about the city without proper knowledge of traffic rules. He suggested that driving license should be given only after proper driver-tests are taken and verified by the issuing authority.
To the query whether or not the issuing authourities are doing just that, the official speaking on condition of strict confidentiality, said, “Kye channye! holibi baccha fifteen, sixteen saal can par ape cari cholai asi!”. A statement that clearly implies that it is not being adhered to.
