ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Reckless driving, speeding, signal violations and lack of adequate road safety standards claimed around 160 lives in the federal capital during the year 2005.

According to a traffic police source, 290 persons were also injured in 150 non-fatal accidents during the period.

About 85 per cent accidents occurred due to negligence of drivers, indulging speeding, overloading and wrong overtaking.

About 126 persons were killed in 114 fatal accidents during 2000; 242 died in 116 accidents in 2001; 96 persons died in 95 accidents during 2002; 112 in 103 accidents in 2003, and 161 persons were killed in 111 accidents in 2004.

The source said majority of traffic law violators were drivers of commercial vehicles — mostly uneducated persons having no tolerance and idea about traffic rules and regulations.

Sometimes educated persons also do not follow traffic rules and take wrong turns on double roads and drive on wrong lanes, the source added.

Speed radars have been installed on the Islamabad highway where people are often found violating the limits.

It may be mentioned that 40 to 50 km per hour speed is prescribed inside the city while 80 to 90 is for some main roads in the capital.—APP