Himachal DGP Launches Zero-Tolerance Drive to Curb Road Accidents, Targets 'Danger Hours' from 6 PM to 9 PM
In a significant move to address the rising toll of road accidents, Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari has officially declared the three-hour period between 6 pm and 9 pm as 'danger hours'. This announcement came on Thursday as part of a state-wide, data-driven campaign aimed at curbing accidents across all 15 police districts of the hill state.
Alarming Data Reveals Evening as Peak Accident Time
The initiative is backed by a scientific analysis of accident data compiled through the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) system. According to official figures, in 2025, out of a total of 1,920 road accidents in Himachal Pradesh, 389 occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm. This makes it the most accident-prone time band during the day, highlighting a critical need for targeted intervention.
Overall, road accidents in the state claimed a heavy human toll last year, with 789 fatalities and 3,030 injuries reported. The data underscores the urgency of the new enforcement strategy.
Technology-Backed Strategy and Zero-Tolerance Policy
DGP Ashok Tewari emphasized that the police have adopted a focused and technology-backed approach to reduce casualties. "The data collected through eDAR shows a majority of road accidents were reported between 6 pm and 9 pm. We are committed to reducing overall road accidents in the state. Declaring these three specific hours as 'danger hours', we have prepared a detailed strategy and a zero-tolerance policy to curb the road accident menace," he stated.
Tewari further explained that modern technology is at the core of effective policing. "With eDAR, we have adopted a 'zero tolerance' policy. We aren't just recording accidents; we are predicting patterns and identifying black spots to ensure our manpower is where it's needed most — saving lives before a crash occurs," he added.
High-Tech Offensive to Dismantle Accident Crisis
The intensified implementation of the eDAR system is described as a high-tech offensive aimed at tackling the crisis of nearly 2,000 annual accidents and hundreds of fatalities in the mountainous terrain. Gurdev Sharma, DIG (Traffic, Tourist & Railways), noted that scientific data mapping has been instrumental in identifying high-risk hours and locations.
"Scientific analysis has unmasked the 'Danger Hour' between 6 pm and 9 pm. During this evening rush, visibility drops and fatigue rises. We have deployed specialised interceptors and patrolling teams across highways to guard citizens and tourists during these high-risk windows," Sharma said.
Vehicle-Specific Insights and Victim Support
The eDAR data also provides detailed insights into vehicle involvement in accidents. Two-wheelers were found to be the most vulnerable, with 489 incidents, followed by cars, jeeps, vans, and taxis at 349 cases where victims were riding. In terms of vehicles causing accidents, those involving cars, jeeps, vans, or taxis topped the list with 801 incidents, followed by two-wheelers at 483.
A police officer highlighted the broader benefits of the eDAR portal, stating, "The eDAR portal is a bridge between the accident spot and justice. It brings unprecedented transparency, ensuring that digital data translates into immediate insurance and medical relief for victims, cutting through years of manual red tape."
This comprehensive drive marks a proactive step by the Himachal Pradesh Police to leverage data and technology in enhancing road safety, with a clear focus on the identified 'danger hours' to prevent future tragedies.
