Kakinada : A weeklong awareness campaign is being launched all over the district today aimed at creating safety awareness among road users, according to Jaya Kumar Reddy, deputy commissioner of transport. At a press conference on Tuesday, he said last year's `SAFAR' (safety always for all roads) programme had yielded the desired results in creating public awareness.

Increasing deaths

This is evident with the number of road accidents coming down significantly, he said.

"Carelessness is the cause for many accidents," he remarked. Stating that the number of vehicles on the roads has registered a ten-fold increase (from 48,000 to 4.8 lakh) during the last 15 years in East Godavari District , he said, it occupies third place in the State in accident cases.

As against a total of 12,000 people killed in the State last year in road accidents, 599 deaths were from East Godavari district, he said.

Picking out the lack of awareness as the main reason for the increase in accidents, he said, despite being aware of the rules many broke them due to carelessness.

Autos targeted

Since auto-rickshaws numbering over 18,000 in the district were found involved in a majority of accidents, Mr.Reddy said they were concentrating on creating awareness among auto drivers and owners.

Essay writing and elocution competitions for school students on the theme ` road safety - prevention of road accidents and role of students' were planned. Besides, he said, a medical camp at Kiran eye hospital would be conducted.

The campaign would conclude with a special function at the Medical college auditorium on July 18 with the transport commissioner participating as chief guest.

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