Two killed in road accident on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

Jammu: Two persons were killed and seven others injured in a road accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district, officials said on Thursday.

Officials said that the accident took place late on Thursday when a vehicle, carrying nine persons and going towards Chunthan, went out of the driver’s control and skidded off the road.

The deceased were identified as the driver, Vijay Singh, and Sunil Singh, 26.

While one of the injured was referred to Jammu, the remaining six were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Anantnag

Road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) stem from a combination of human error, difficult terrain, and vehicular issues, according to reports from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and local traffic authorities.

Major causes of these accidents include over-speeding and reckless driving above the prescribed limits, and sudden manoeuvres by drivers.

Dangerous overtaking, including risky passing, especially along narrow mountain corridors, sharp curves, and hill stretches, frequently leads to head-on collisions or vehicles plunging into gorges. •

Low usage rates of seat belts and helmets significantly increase the severity of injuries, with the majority of fatalities linked to head trauma.

Overloading in passenger buses, public transport, and commercial carriers strains vehicle control and stability on steep gradients.

Drunk and impaired driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver's reaction time and judgment.

In addition to these, the challenging topography and poor road infrastructure in Mountainous areas, sharp bends, narrow roads, rockfalls, and black spots (accident-prone zones) compound driver errors.

Adverse weather conditions like rain, snowfall, thick fog, and black ice reduce visibility and braking efficiency during specific seasons.

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