VISAKHAPATNAM: Despite several measures, including awareness campaigns, being taken and organised by the authorities, roads of the city are severely plagued by accidents, both fatal and non-fatal. In the first half of the year while 148 persons have died in various road accidents, about 771 have been injured in the Visakhapatnam city limits. Of all these accidents, the two-wheeler related ones account for around 30 to 35 per cent.
According to the statistics available with the Visakhapatnam City Traffic police, between January 1 and June 30, 2018, Vizag city roads had witnessed 698 road accidents, of which 145 had been fatal and 553 non-fatal accidents. Police said that in these accidents, in all 148 persons died and 771 were injured. The records suggest that on an average 116 road accidents - both fatal and non-fatal - had taken place on the roads of Vizag every month and about 24 persons died every month, during the last six months.
Figures given by the police however, point at one disturbing trend. Almost 35 per cent of all the deaths, which had taken place in the city because of the accidents, involved two-wheelers. Police said 51 persons died in the first six months of the year due to two-wheeler related accidents. "The figure shows the high rate of two-wheeler accidents," said a cop of the Traffic department.
According to police sources, while almost 70 to 80 per cent of road accidents took place on the National Highway-16, between the Lankelapalem and Anandapuram stretch, others took place in the city lanes. Sources said that majority of accidents occurred due to rash driving, overspeeding, losing control on vehicles because of negligence and a few other reasons.
What police say
Cops say that compared to the previous years, the rate of road accidents has come down this year. Police go on to add that organising regular awareness campaigns, drives against riding bikes without helmets, overspeeding, rash and negligent driving and many other violations have contributed to the diminishing rate of road accidents.
"With the help of the GVMC, the Road Transport Authority (RTA), we have been making all efforts, including getting involved in road re-engineering works, making use of technology, providing all needed equipment on NH-16. Every month, road safety meet is being organised to discuss the possible problems, which have become an impediment to safe driving and to sort those out. We are requesting the parents as well to make sure that their wards do not drive vehicles without proper license and helmet," said a senior Traffic Police official working at the Vizag city commissionerate.