Drive against helmetless heads

KOCHI: The police have decided to intensify helmet-checking across the state. The Director General of Police (DGP) has issued an  order in this regard after it was revealed that 42 per cent of the road  accidents were caused by two-wheeler riders. In 2011, 4,145 people died in road accidents across the state of which  1,713 were two-wheeler riders.“Helmet-checking has to be intensified as the number of mishaps caused by   two-wheelers has gone up. Squads will be deployed to strengthen checking in   the whole state,” an official said. Kochi SparedIn the city, 182 persons died in road accidents in 2011 of which only  58 were two-wheeler riders. In Thiruvananthapuram, a total of 191 persons succumbed to road accidents of which 56 were two-wheeler riders. The highest number of two-wheeler deaths was reported in Thiruvananthapuram  rural. As many as 396 persons died in road mishaps of which 243 were two-wheeler riders. In Ernakulam rural, 155 two-wheeler riders died in road accidents in 2011.  One of the major achievements of the city police was that it could   successfully enforce helmet rule among two-wheeler riders. According to statistics, more than 90 per cent of the riders in Ernakulam use helmet and   this has contributed to the fall in the number of accidents involving   two-wheelers in Kochi.  Footpaths to be EvictedAfter studying the number of death of pedestrians, the police have decided to    evict footpaths that have been encroached for commercial purposes. “The    step would be taken with the assistance of the local governing body,”  the officials said. The number of pedestrians who died in road accidents is 1,360 across the state in 2011. In Kochi city, 75 pedestrians lost their life in road  mishaps.In Ernakulam rural, the number is 119. The highest number of pedestrian death  was reported in Thrissur with 131 people losing their lives.  “If we combine the accidental death of pedestrians and two-wheelers, it  would be 75 per cent of whole road accidents in the state. Taking strict  action can reduced further mishaps and make our roads safe to travel,” police officials said.