VIJAYAWADA: Every year, road accidents claim around three hundred lives in the city. However, the count has come down drastically in the past three months, thanks to the safety measures taken by the city police.
The comparative statement of Fatal Road Accident cases in Vijayawada city for the period January-July shows 232 deaths in the year 2016. The number has nosedived to 194 deaths in 188 road mishaps in 2017 for the same period.
In the months of April and July, 17-18 accidental deaths were reported whereas, in January, February, March and June observed an average of 32 deaths. According to the report, July 2016 has seen as many as 46 deaths.
The departments responsible for roads such as Department of Road and Buildings, National Highway Authority of India, Vijayawada Municipal Municipal Corporation and Police department have collectively taken steps for the public good. They categorised accident prone areas (black spots) into three categories-A, B, and C. Whereas category A is the most dangerous, C is the least. 78 black spots were identified under category C, followed by category B with 58 black spots and category A(5).
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kranti Rana Tata said, “The city police focussed on the alarming death toll caused by accidents. Accordingly, We have taken steps to minimize the chances of accidents. We have made arrangements such as laying out new speed breakers, street lights, safety railing, blinkers. We are also counselling rash drivers and eve-teasers.”
The DCP appealed to all women in the city to gift a helmet to their brothers on Raksha Bandhan this Monday. “Kindly ask your brothers to wear a helmet when they riding a bike,” he added.
The police have found that most accidents take place while crossing the National Highways. They requested the public to maintain road discipline while commuting.