The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Meet on road safety

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Meet on road safety

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, NOV. 19. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation incurs an annual expenditure of Rs. 30 crores on account of road mishaps, according to the Divisional Manager, APSRTC, R.Gangadhar.

Speaking at a meeting on road safety and prevention of accidents as part of the Road Safety Week, organised by the Rotary Club of Vijayawada Centennial here on Friday, Mr. Gangadhar said `safe driving' was the need of the hour in view of the increasing number of road mishaps. A survey conducted by the Union Government showed that a road accident occurred every 90 seconds and at least 35 per cent of the victims died on National Highways. There were nearly five crore vehicles operating across the country and the rate of accidents was relatively high when compared to other nations. At least 75 per cent of these mishaps were due to negligence of the drivers. Asserting that accidents caused by the RTC personnel were low in the Krishna region, he said it was because the organisation had been exercising great caution while recruiting drivers. "The RTC operates 1100 buses in Krishna district alone and takes all care to ensure safety of the public as well as its staff," he claimed, listing various measures initiated by the authorities to bring down the number of mishaps.

Medical test

Medical test was conducted annually for drivers above 45 years of age as they were prone to ailments like visual defects.

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