The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Jana rules out ban on heavy vehicles after midnight

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 30, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Jana rules out ban on heavy vehicles after midnight

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 29 . The Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, has ruled out a ban on the plying of heavy vehicles like lorries on highways from midnight to 5 a.m. to contain road accidents in the State on the plea that such a measure would drastically affect freight transport.

The ban had been proposed as most road accidents occur during that time with drivers suffering from fatigue.

During question hour in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr. Reddy told N. Narasimhaiah of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that he would discuss the matter with the Home, Transport and Roads and Buildings departments and attempt to identify a solution.

Road accidents

With regard to the increase in the number of accidents, he said the year 2001 had seen 28,902 accidents, leading to 8,248 deaths, 2002 saw 34,133 accidents, leading to 9,523 deaths, and in 2003, there were 34,826 accidents, resulting in 9,679 deaths.

This year there were 16,943 till April-May, leading to 5,174 deaths, he said.

He said Sub-Inspectors in all police stations were empowered to book cases against autorickshwas, maxi cabs and jeeps found carrying more passengers.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh