‘Broad awareness only averts road accidents’

Kakinada : District Collector H Arum Kumar advocated for increased awareness as it is the only way to avoid road accidents. Participating in the inaugural programme of week-long ‘Road Safety Week ‘celebrations organized at the ITI(Industrial Training Institute) premises here on Thursday, the Collector said that the district has the dubious distinction of occupying the third place for the most number of accidents in the state. Synonymously, the district occupies the third position in the state for the most number of vehicles.

Turning his attention towards drunken driving, in particular on NH 16 and 216 in the district, the Collector made it clear that the wine shops along the highways will be closed by the end of March as per the directives of the Supreme Court.

Speaking on the occasion, East Godavari Additional SP, A R Damodar said that the police department has taken a special drive to identify locations that are prone to road accidents. R& B, Superintendent Engineer, C S N Murthy detailed the measurers undertaken for widening the roads to suit the chaining traffic needs.

More attention should be paid to cell phone driving as several accidents have been taking place on account of this, noted the Deputy Director of Public Relations, M Francis. Youth need to desist from the habit of cell phone driving as it is resulting in a significant number of road accidents, he said. Officials from the transport, revenue and police departments also participated in the programme.