Hyderabad|India|December'2009: “There is steady increase in road accidents in the State. Many innocent lives are lost due to these accidents and it is a matter of grave concern and painful. We have to put an end to it. Coordinated efforts by all departments concerned like Transport, Police etc. working in tandem is the effective way of tackling the menace. Accidents at any cost should be curbed and precious lives should be saved”, Chief Minister K Rosaiah said. Stating that road accidents have become almost an every day feature in one part or the other part of the state, he said immediate steps should be taken for easing traffic congestion and implementation of rules more effectively. However, the existing rules alone will not suffice, but at the same time public awareness and their support and cooperation will go a long way in controlling accident rate, he said.

Mr Rosaiah had a brief interaction meeting with officials on traffic safety measures on the eve of the Road Safety Week in city. The 21st Road safety week is being organized at the national level from January 1-7, 2010 with the theme "Life is safe if driving is safe". He also suggested the Minister for Transport, Mr.Vijayarama Raju over phone, to frequently monitor the road safety issue district wise, with concerned officials.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to immediately prepare a comprehensive action plan to pave the way for prevention of road accidents further and the action plan will be discussed in detail in the forthcoming high-level meeting to be held shortly. Mr. Rosaiah insisted that drivers should be encouraged to wear seatbelts. Drunken driving is dangerous and it needs to be avoided at all costs. Particularly, use of cell phones while driving should be strictly avoided for the safety of the driver, cleaner as well as the passengers.

The Chief Minister asked the Health department officials to identify more hospitals that could serve as traumatic care centres as the Government has already put in place emergency assistance system in the form of 108 services. He said while the State government is taking measures, ultimately road safety is a concern of each and every one in the state. Modern roads are laid for the betterment of the society and the transport industry. But rash driving and over speed are killing the purpose. This tendency should be curbed effectively, he said.

Expansion in the road networks, motorization and urbanization in the country in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular has led to steep rise in road accidents. The growth rate of vehicles is around 7%. The total number of vehicles in Andhra Pradesh is 85 lakhs of which 80% are two wheelers. Commissioner for Transport, Mr.Raymond Peter explained the Chief Minister that road accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths, disabilities and hospitalization with severe socio- economic costs across the world. The costs of accidents include medical costs, collateral damage to property and motor vehicles, loss due to income foregone due to absence from work, disability or untimely death besides other legal and administrative costs.

Mr Peter briefed the Chief Minister that active enforcement is being done by the police and transport departments. A large number of gadgets such as laser guns, breath analysers, surveillance cameras and cranes have been acquired to increase enforcement work. An analysis of road accidents indicates that around 80% of the road accidents are due to driver’s fault. Given the advanced technologies of vehicles today only 2% of the accidents/ fatalities are due to defects in the motor vehicles. With a view to mitigate the number of road accidents in the State, the transport department has initiated a number of preventive measures. Auto rickshaws are prohibited on the national highways. Driving licenses of drivers involved in fatal and grievous accidents are being suspended. In all 21,473 licenses have been suspended so far. District road safety committees have been reconstituted with District Collector as Chairman for effective monitoring and taking remedial measures.