Kurnool tops AP with lesser number of road accidents

 Kurnool: In a significant achievement, Kurnool district has witnessed a substantial reduction in accidents, with priority given to a safer environment on roads.

From January to August in 2022, the district reported 490 accidents. During the corresponding period in 2023, this number has significantly dropped to 320, representing a reduction of 34.7 per cent in accidents.

Kadapa secured the second position with 28 per cent reduction in accidents. From 579 accidents in Jan-Aug 2022, the district witnessed 412 during the same period in 2023. Visakhapatnam followed closely, with a 23 per cent reduction. The number of cases dropped from 996 to 767.

However, Parvathipuram Manyam district has bucked this trend. It recorded a 21.4 per cent increase in accidents compared to the previous year.

Overall, Andhra Pradesh reported 14,462 accidents from January to August in 2022. The cases dropped to 13,068 during the same period in 2023, a decrease of 1,394 cases, translating to a 9.6 per cent drop.

Kurnool district superintendent of police G. Krishnakanth said they identified vulnerable blackspots on roads and took measures to set them right. He highlighted a range of other measures that reduced accidents, including regular vehicular checks, imposing significant fines on traffic violators, and conducting awareness sessions about road safety.

Kurnool deputy transport commissioner K. Sridhar attributed reduction in accidents to collaborative efforts between various enforcement wings. He emphasised that there is strict enforcement of regulations and stringent action is being taken against violators.

City traffic DSP D. Nagabhushanam, however, noted that two-wheeler accidents are on the rise due to negligence and over speeding, particularly by youths and minors. Police are booking cases against them, apart from educating them about consequences of their over speeding and reckless driving.

Next to two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws are susceptible to accidents, both in urban and rural areas of Kurnool district.