Visakhapatnam witnesses 148 road accident deaths in first six months of 2018

Visakhapatnam has witnessed 148 deaths and 771 injuries to people due to road accidents in the first half of the 2018 year, though several measures including awareness campaigns have been organised by the authorities.

The city traffic police statistics report that the city roads have witnessed 698 road accidents between January 1 and June 30, 2018, out of which, 145 were fatal and 553 being non-fatal. The reports say that 148 people died and 771 have received injuries. Of all these accidents, the two-wheelers accumulate around 30 to 35 percent of the accidents.

On an average, for every month, 116 road accidents have taken place in Visakhapatnam and recorded 24 deaths.

Due to two-wheeler related accidents, 51 deaths have been reported by the Police in the 6 months. A cop said, “The figure shows the high rate of two-wheeler accidents.”

The sources say that 70 to 80 percent of road accidents have taken place on the NH-16, across the Lankelapalem and Anandapuram stretch. Rash driving, overspeeding and losing control of the vehicle due to negligence are the majority of the reasons.

Cops mention that the rate of the road accidents has decreased, compared to last year, due to the awareness campaigns by the police. Strict actions against riding bikes without helmets, overspeeding, rash driving, to name a few, have helped in reducing the rate.

A senior traffic police official working at Visakhapatnam City Commissionerate said, “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.”

Credits: The New Indian Express