Nawanshahr, December 22: In the last 12 years, road accidents have decreased by 5 percent globally, while in India it has increased by 15.30 percent. The first 60 minutes after any accident are the most critical and awareness among the general public is essential. If the patient reaches the right place at the right time, many lives can be saved.

Speaking on the topic of 'Rising Trend of Road Accident and Trauma Services in North India', Chairman and Executive Director of IVY Elite Institute of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Dr. Manuj Wadhwa said that road accidents are very dangerous in terms of roads in Punjab. There were 6122 road accidents and 4688 deaths in road accidents in Punjab in 2022. He also said that 70 percent of people die in road accidents due to speeding.
Director Orthopedics IVY Hospital Dr Bhanu Pratap Singh Saluja said, More than 460 deaths a day in India are forcing us to take road accidents seriously. 460 deaths every day is equivalent to one jumbo jet crash every day. India accounts for only 1 percent of the global vehicle population, but has the highest number of accidental deaths worldwide.
Dr Vineet Sagar, senior neurosurgeon, said that driving at high speed and not wearing seat belts are the main causes of head injuries in trauma cases in India. Apart from this, drunk driving, breaking red light, driver distraction, not driving, overtaking from wrong side and lane are other causes of road accidents in India.
Head Emergency Doctor Chetan Goyal shared that two-wheelers are one of the most unsafe vehicles. According to the United Nations motorcycle helmet study, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in road accidents than drivers of passenger cars. Wearing the right helmet increases their chance of survival by 42 percent and reduces the risk of brain injury by 74 percent.
Neurosurgery consultant Dr Jaspreet Randhawa said that more than 78 per cent of the vehicles on the road in India are two-wheelers and they are responsible for around 29 per cent of road accidents. Wearing a good helmet and fastening it properly can prevent 90 percent of fatal accidents.
With 5 hospitals, 750 beds, 280 ICU beds and 20 OTS, IVY Group is the largest trauma service provider across Punjab. With 6 ACLS ambulances located in different drainage areas, IVY provides trauma services in 16 districts of Punjab and 6 districts of Haryana.