Date:05/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/05/stories/2009010554330300.htm

Tamil Nadu

“730 road accident deaths in Villupuram last year”

Special Correspondent

VILLUPURAM: Collector R. Palanisamy has called upon road-users to strictly adhere to traffic rules and make driving a pleasurable activity. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Road Safety Week celebrations here recently.

Mr. Palanisamy said that Villupuram district had the longest network of highways and hence, heavy vehicle movement was on the rise.

It was a cause for concern that of 13,500 road accidents that occurred in Tamil Nadu in 2008, a total of 2,860 were in Villupuram district. The death toll during in 2008 touched 730, which was 80 more than the previous year.

Drivers of heavy vehicle should take extra care to ensure the safety of fellow road-users, he said. Superintendent of Police A. Amalraj said that if the heavy vehicle drivers judiciously exercisied the dim-bright option for headlights, a majority of accidents could be averted.

General Manager of Transport Corporation C. Palanisamy spioke about the safety measures taken by his organisation.