One crore vechiles across TN in 8 yrs; 15,000 deaths in 2013

More than 15,000 persons lost their lives in accidents in Tamil Nadu in 2013 while there has been an increase of over one crore registered vehicles in the state during the last eight years, the state assembly was informed today.
While the total number of vehicles in the state stood at 82,21,730 vehicles on April 1, 2006, the number rose to 1,90,82,298, registering a rise of 1,08,60,568 vehicles, state Transport Minister Senthil Balaji said.
Replying to a special call attention motion on the rising deaths in road traffic accidents moved by the Opposition parties, Balaji listed the government's steps in controlling the menace.

A total of 15,563 persons lost their lives in 66,238 accidents reported in Tamil Nadu during the last year, he said, while 17,346 lives were saved.
Since 14,795 of the total 15,563 lives were lost due to driver's mistake, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has alloted Rs 15 crore for setting up an international driving institute at Gummidipoondi, he said.
Since 2011, the government has spent over Rs 235 crore for creating awareness on traffic rules and the importance to comply with it, he added.