Vijayawada: The state government has announced another war — this time it is on road accidents.
Transport minister K. Atchannaidu on Wednesday chaired a meeting with his Cabinet colleague and home minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa, DGP, home secretary, transport commissioner, R&B principal secretary and other officials at DGP camp office.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Atchannaidu said that despite the best efforts from police and transport officials, accidents were taking place in the state. “From today, the state government is declaring a war against road accidents,” said Mr Acchennaidu.
As part of the mitigating plan, the transport minister announced a slew of initiatives that are to be taken up in the coming days. Mr Atchannaidu said eight teams would be constituted in every district exclusively to deal with road accidents. Out of the eight teams, five will be from police department and three from the transport department.
Mr Atchannaidu said all police and transport department officials to be placed on roads one day in every week to check vehicles. “We are going to insist compulsory helmet for two-wheelers and using seat belts in case of four wheelers,” he said.
It has also been decided to install breath analysers at all 25 toll plazas in the state to check drunken driving. “If a driver caused an accident in drunken state, the owner also made responsible for the accident. If need be, we will amend the transport Act,” said Mr Atchannaidu.
He said after June 30, all highways in the state will be free of liquor shops and bars.
Stressing on the need for awareness among the people, Mr. Acchennaidu mooted an idea to include road safety chapter in the curriculum for students.
He opined that following safety rules is something which has to be inculcated in the minds of people and it should become part of the education.
Besides this, the district level road safety committees headed by collectors should meet every third Tuesday of the month to take necessary steps to prevent accidents from time to time.
