HARIPUR: A considerable decline in road accidents and resultant deaths has occurred in Haripur during the 2018 compared to 2017, data collected from hospital and police sources revealed on Monday.

Police, however, attributed the downward trend in the road accidents to better traffic management plan and awareness campaign for promoting respect of traffic rules.

According to the data, a total of 110 fatal road accidents were reported from across the district during 2017, while police and hospital sources said 110 persons, including women and children, died and 56 were injured in these accidents during the year.

Sources said during the same year the police and health authorities registered a total of 380 non-fatal accidents.

The data shows that only 70 road accidents occurred in 2018 compared to 110 in 2017, showing a marked reduction of 31 per cent. Fatal road accidents in 2018 claimed lives of 79 persons and left 18 others injured, while the number of non-fatal accidents was 168 in which 271 persons were injured.

The 2018 comparison with the previous year indicates a decline of 23.9 per cent in the non-fatal accidents.

When contacted, Malik Hasan Atta ur Rehman, spokesperson for the district police officer Dr Zahidullah, confirmed the data that Dawn gathered from official sources, claiming that it was the result of better traffic management.

CULTURAL SHOW: A cultural show was held in Dheri Sikandar Pur area on Monday, attracting people from across the Haripur district.

The players enthralled the audience by exhibiting their skills in traditional sports like Kabbadi, stone lifting, mongli (log) lifting, gatks (stick) fight and wrestling.

Provincial minister for communication and works Akbar Ayub Khan was the chief guest, who gave away prizes to best performers.

Speaking to the participants, he said the PTI government was utilising its resources for engaging youth in positive and productive sports activities so that the objective of their mental and physical grooming could be achieved.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2019