Four cousins tragically died on Saturday when their car collided with a parked road-roller near Gohana in Haryana's Sonipat district. The accident occurred on the Delhi-Jammu NH-44, approximately 15 kilometers from their village.
The deceased have been identified as Ankit, Lokesh, Deepankar, and Somveer, all residents of Ghilaur village in Rohtak district. Somveer was the son of Balwan Ranga, a Congress leader from Rohtak (Rural). According to reports, the cousins were returning from a business meeting related to their tiles business when the accident happened. Their Kia car reportedly spiraled out of control and crashed into the road-roller.
The impact of the collision was devastating. One of the young men died on the spot, while the other three succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Police Sub Inspector Devendar stated that all four died due to the impact of the accident. The bodies have been sent to the Civil Hospital in Gohana for post-mortem examination, and police have launched an investigation into the incident.
The accident has sparked grief and outrage in the community. Hundreds of villagers gathered to bid farewell to the victims. Congress urban district president Kuldeep KD mourned the loss, describing the deceased as "hardworking young men with promising futures". Village Sarpanch Anil accused the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of negligence, alleging the absence of warning signs at the construction site. He claimed that the accident could have been avoided if proper safety measures were in place.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing concerns about road safety in Haryana. Data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways indicates that road fatalities in Haryana rose by 4.4% in 2022, with 4,915 deaths recorded. The number of road accidents also increased from 9,933 in 2021 to 10,429 in 2022. Haryana's accidental death rate is among the highest in the country. In 2022, the state reported 5,228 deaths in 10,654 road accidents.
Road accidents are a major hazard to human life and safety in India, with a significant increase in the number of injuries and deaths. Every minute, there is a road accident, and every four minutes, a related death occurs. The loss of life and the economic burden imposed by road traffic injuries and fatalities are immense.
Haryana police have stated that they are undertaking awareness campaigns to reduce road crashes and fatalities. From January to October of this year, the state recorded a dip in road accidents and fatalities compared to the same period last year. While this is a positive sign, the recent tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued and intensified efforts to improve road safety. These efforts include stricter enforcement of traffic rules, improved driver training, and better road infrastructure with adequate safety measures.
