Andhra Pradesh

Spurt in accidents worries officials

Kakinada: Despite concerted efforts by the Transport Department and the police to create awareness among the drivers and the other road users by Safar programme, the number of road accidents, mostly due to human errors, are on a high side in East Godavari district causing concern among the district administration. While 668 people were killed in road accidents during last year, the figure crossed 420 mark during past six months period ending June this year, of which hardly two per cent are due to mechanical failures and remaining are attributed to human negligence. The district occupies third place in having highest number of vehicles and also in registering more accidents and the number of deaths, next to Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. Serpentine roads and narrow canal roads that serve multipurpose- thrashing of paddy, performing of marriages, open defacation,-a peculiar feature in the district, have proved more prone to accidents. The recent major accidents involving tractor trailors, auto rickshaws have proved the fact that lack of road sense among the people was mainly responsible for the spurt in accidents. Official statistics indicate that the accidents are on a high side in rural roads rather than the four lane national highway.

Lack of effective enforcement both on the part of Transport Department and the police has been attributed for the rise in accident rate. But the officials attribute it to the willful disobedience of the law and violation of traffic rules by public. ‘Enforcement alone will never solve the problem. Unless the people realises the fact that road safety rules were framed only in the interest of public and scrupulously adhere to them in their own safety, the situation remains unchanged’ said Y.Jaya Kumar Reddy, deputy transport commissioner.

He told The Hindu here on Monday that the mindset of vehicle drivers and the general public should be changed and the change should come from within.

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