VIJAYAWADA: In view of increasing road accidents, Krishna district collector Babu A wants helmets made mandatory for two-wheeler riders in Vijayawada and asked police commissioner AB Venkateswara Rao and transport officials to implement the rule.
Speaking at a meeting at the collector’s camp office here Saturday, the highway safety committee headed by the collector asked excise officials to close down wine shops on national highways as most of the accident were caused when drivers were under the influence of alcohol.
He directed the officials to use breath analysers at toll plazas and check whether the drivers were drunk.
The collector asked irrigation officials to take measures for the removal of encroachments on canal bunds within 15 days after issuing notices to them.
Expressing displeasure at the officials of the National Highways Authority of India, commissioner of police Venkateswara Rao said the NHAI is neglecting maintenance of highways.
He said they have made 18 recommendations related to road safety and prevention of road accidents to the state government. They are taking measures to create awareness among people regarding road safety and collect penalties from violators of traffic rules, he added.
VMC commissioner G Veerapandian said the corporation was taking measures to set up automatic traffic signaling system in the city and has identified 62 junctions to implement the project.
Deputy transport commissioner M Venkateswara Rao said the transport department is going to conduct driving classes for autorickshaw and bus drivers in the district and the training programme has already begun for lorry and auto drivers in Nuzvid, Gudivada and Vijayawada regions.