VIJAYAWADA: “Around 95 per cent of the road accidents happened due to reckless driving and lack of awareness on the rules to be followed, ‘’ said Krishna District Collector B Lakshmikantham.
The district collector, along with Z P Chairperson Gadde Anuradha, participated as chief guest for the World Day of Remembrance of victims of road accidents observed by Transport Department at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram here on Sunday. Deputy Transport Commissioner E Meera Prasad along with other officials offered tributes at the venue to those who died in road accidents in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, Lakshmikantham said that a majority of the road accident victims are aged between 16 and 30 years. Special focus is being laid in conducting awareness programmes for the youth about the use of helmet and other safety measures to be followed. “Around 1.20 lakh cases have been registered against traffic violators since September 1 in the district. The vehicle users should discipline themselves. Police regulating traffic and imposing fines will not serve the purpose,” said the district collector. He urged the youth to wear helmet and avoid drinking and driving.
Meera Prasad said World Day of Remembrance is observed every third Sunday of November to remember the millions of people who have died and suffered injuries in road accidents across the globe and to spread awareness on road safety. The department conducted special training session for as many as 529 drivers belonging to private sector to avoid road accidents in the district.
A huge banner with photographs of those who lost their lives in road accidents in different parts of the State was on display. School students distributed pamphlets on road safety to motorists and pedestrians on M G Road.