NEW DELHI: Fatalities in road accidents have declined by 5,000 during three quarters of 2017 (January to September) in comparison to the same period in 2016. This is also the steepest ever reduction in road deaths, according to the data shared by state governments with Supreme Court appointed panel on road safety.Among major states, Punjab has recorded the maximum decline in road deaths by 14.4% followed by West Bengal with 13.7%. "The overall decline in deaths indicate that greater efforts by states can help reduce road fatalities. There is increasing awareness among agencies that road crashes are avoidable," said a road transport ministry official.India has the highest number of road deaths across the globe and one in every 10 deaths happening is reported from India. Stronger law backed by better enforcement have reduced road deaths in other countries.

Source: Times of India November 28, 2017 23:42 UTC