Bhubaneswar, Feb. 25: Police will identify accident-prone spots in the city through satellite mapping to facilitate preventive measures such as putting up warning signs and constructing speed-breakers.

“We will conduct satellite mapping of the spots, where the chances of accidents are more or where mishaps occur frequently. We will study the possible causes of the accidents, and accordingly, take steps to reduce the number,” said deputy commissioner of police Nitinjeet Singh.

Bhubaneswar witnessed an increase in the number of road mishaps in 2012 compared to the previous year. While 625 motor accidents were reported in 2012 in the city, the number was 599 in 2011. A police official said that around 187 persons had lost their lives in the accidents last year whereas the casualty figure was 185 in 2011 and 190 in 2010.

Another official said some of the more accident-prone spots included Kalpana Square, Samantarapur Square, Dhauli Square on National Highway 203, Palasuni, Khandagiri on National Highway 5 and Bharatpur Square.

“After finding out the cause of the accidents, we will inform officials of the public works department to carry out the changes on the roads. Besides, we will install signboards, instructing people to follow rules to avoid accidents,” said Singh.

Though the police said they had been conducting awareness drives to sensitise people about road-safety norms, residents believe it is the lack of awareness that causes such accidents.

A traffic police official said they had been regularly sensitising people about road safety, discouraging rash and drunk driving. “We conduct checking at various places and fine the rash drivers and those driving under the influence of alcohol,” said the official.

To minimise accidents on National Highway 203, connecting Puri to Cuttack, the police have closed many road divider cuts. Citing the median cuts as unnecessary, the traffic wing wrote letters to the public works department, which closed them.

“The National Highway 203 is a busy road, and divider cuts used to cause traffic jam and accidents. After we closed them, the number of accidents have gone down in the past one month,” said assistant commissioner of police (traffic Bhubaneswar) Binod Das.