The number of deaths and accidents have come down in 2017 due to various preventive measures taken by the State government, a top Government official said on Thursday.

Speaking at a review meeting on road safety with senior officials from various departments including transport and police here, Principal Secretary and Transport and Road Safety Commissioner Dayanand Kattaria said that there were 1,061 lesser deaths and 5,869 accidents in the the State in 2017, compared to 2016.

“Steps should be taken to bring down the accident rate to nil in due course as there was increased incidents of drunken driving, driving while speaking over cell phone on and also rash drive and riding without helmets, which lead to accidents and deaths,” he said.

Over 1.54 lakh licences were suspended during last year for traffic violations and negligent driving, an official release said.

Asking the departments such as transport, police and road to coordinate with the Ambulance services, which were doing a good job, Kattaria said that the Government had set up panel safety corners in 571 two-wheeler showrooms, to create awareness.

District Collector T.N. Hariharan, Corporation Commissioner and Special Officer Dr. K. Vijayakarthikeyan, City Police Commissioner Periaiah, Inspector-General of Police Pari, Superintendent of Police P. Murthy and senior district officials attended the meeting.