Spurt in fatalities in 2017 in Kothagudem

Bhadrachalam: Bhadradri-Kothagudem district accounted for 225 deaths due to 625 road accidents in 2017. The road mishaps left 68 persons critically wounded. However, 725 persons escaped the accidents with minor injuries. What is raising an alarm is that the number of deaths recorded was abnormally high when compared to the total number of fatalities (171) till September 2016 in the undivided Khammam district. The Bhadradri-Kothagudem district was formed subsequently. 

The people of the district are concerned over the high rate of fatalities due to road mishaps. Eyebrows are being raised whether the departments concerned are working with coordination to prevent road accidents? Some people alleges that the officials are washing off their hands with simply saying the road safety rallies are organising, but not seriously sensitising people against road accidents., 

The following danger zones are identified as death traps: The curve at Jagannadhapuram in Paloncha mandal, Manuguru X roads, the turning at Sarapaka in Burgampahad mandal, the Nagineniprolu-Reddypalem turning, Sujatanagar road, Illandu X roads and the road leading to Parnasala from Bhadralam.

The officials have identified the danger zones, but failed to install warning boards at these places.  In 2017, a total of 1,732 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol have been registered during 2017 in Agency areas of the district. Ignorance of the part of the tribal youth in the Agency areas is stated to be the cause for the increased number of cases registered in the tribal areas. 

Students constituted a vast majority of the offenders in these cases. The cause of the road accidents is stated to be rash and negligent driving. In fact, 80 per cent of the accidents are taking place because of the man-made mishaps. The causes are not far to seek. Driving under the influence of alcohol, cell phone driving, speed driving, minors driving vehicles and jumping traffic signals. 

According to RTC Regional Manager Siva Kumar the road transport undertaking’s fleet are involved in six road accidents for every 10-lakh km travelled. According to District Transport Officer Krishna Reddy, team effort is needed to prevent the road accidents. Students and their parents are being sensitised on how to prevent the road mishaps. District Superintendent of Police Amber Kishore Jha has clarified that people are being educated on driving, wearing helmet and against drunken driving.