198 migrant workers died in road accidents during lockdown

New Delhi: Around 200 migrant workers on their way to home were killed in 1,461 road accidents during the nationwide lockdown between March 25 and May 31.

According to data compiled by SaveLIFE Foundation, as many as 750 people, including 198 migrant workers, died in these accidents.

Thousands of migrant workers along with their families hit the road in various cities as they lost jobs due to lockdown imposed to break the coronavirus infection chain.

Most accidents could be attributed to over-speeding and driver fatigue, according to the data compiled by media-tracking and multi-source verification.

At 94, UP reported the largest road fatalities, followed by Madhya Pradesh (38), Bihar (16), Telangana (11) and Maharashtra (9).

Of the four phases of the lockdown, the fourth was the most lethal overall, the third was the deadliest for migrant workers with 60 per cent of deaths.

During the 68-day lockdown, 1,390 people were reportedly injured in road accidents. UP topped the list with 30 per cent (245) injuries, followed by Telangana (56), MP (56), Bihar (43), Punjab (38) and Maharashtra (36).

Among all, 68 per cent deaths involved pedestrians, two-wheelers and three-wheelers that are categorised as vulnerable road users.

“With Covid-19 still around, we simply can’t afford to burden the overburdened healthcare system with road crash related trauma. The data suggests there has been a surge in road crashes with the lifting of restrictions across states in the third and fourth phases,” said Piyush Tewari, founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation.

IANS

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