Accident Prevention is Possible Only by Adhering to Road Safety Rules
RSD-Sircilla news: As part of the 99-day action plan under the ‘Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika’ (Public Administration Progress Plan) initiative, the District Police and Transport Departments organized a week-long campaign titled “Arrive Alive” from the 13th to the 18th of April 2026. Held at the K Convention Hall in the district headquarters, the event featured a free eye check-up camp, along with training and awareness sessions on CPR and first aid, for drivers from the RTC (Road Transport Corporation), educational institutions, auto-rickshaw unions, municipal services, and other vehicle sectors within the district. State IGP (Railways & Road Safety) Ramesh Naidu IPS attended as the chief guest, alongside District Collector Garima Agarwal and SP Mahesh B. Gite. Speaking on the occasion, State IGP (Railways & Road Safety) Ramesh Naidu IPS remarked that it is the vehicle drivers who are often the first to respond when accidents occur, thereby playing a crucial role in saving lives. He advised auto-rickshaw drivers to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and to pick up passengers only in accordance with the prescribed norms. He urged parents to pay special attention to the safety of school-going students, while also emphasizing that drivers must act responsibly when transporting students. He explained that under the ‘Rahaveer’ scheme, if accident victims are transported to hospitals located along major highways within one hour of the incident, the Central Government will provide free medical treatment for one week and offer financial assistance of up to Rs.1,50,000. He further stated that under the ‘Rahaveer’ scheme, an incentive of Rs.25,000 would be awarded to individuals who, without hesitation or fear, transport accident victims to a hospital. He advised against driving vehicles negligently and urged every driver to act responsibly. He revealed that approximately 70 road accidents are reported daily in Telangana, resulting in up to 20 fatalities. He noted that the majority of accidents are caused by factors such as speeding and improper overtaking. He advised drivers to maintain a speed limit of 80 km/h or less, and specifically urged them to strictly observe the speed limit signboards displayed along major highways. Finally, he warned that the severity of accidents is significantly exacerbated by the failure to wear seat belts or helmets. Speaking on the occasion, District Collector Garima Agarwal recalled that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had launched the ‘Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika’ (People’s Administration Progress Plan) program on March 6th 2026. She stated that, as part of this initiative, various departments are conducting programs across the district until June 12th 2026. She further revealed that special sanitation drives have been undertaken in Gram Panchayats and municipalities, while the Medical and Health Department has organized medical check-ups for students in residential schools, along with health awareness sessions, as part of the ongoing week-long observance. She noted that 470,000 accidents occurred across the country last year, resulting in the loss of 170,000 lives. She highlighted that road accidents rather than wars, diseases, or other causes are currently the leading cause of fatalities. She pointed out that road accidents often leave entire families destitute. She urged people to drive cautiously, keeping in mind their responsibilities toward their families and children. She informed the gathering that the Road Safety Committee convenes monthly meetings with officials from the R&B, PR, Police, Transport, and RTC departments to identify accident “black spots,” implement preventive measures, install signboards, and take other necessary actions. She affirmed that every possible measure is being taken to bring about a complete reduction in road accidents. She issued a clear directive that school autos and buses must not transport students beyond their prescribed seating capacity. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of eye examinations for drivers and advised them to wear corrective eyewear as recommended by medical professionals. Speaking on the occasion, District SP Mahesh B. Gite stated that the majority of accidents currently occurring are a result of drunk driving. He explained that, since January 2026, awareness programs regarding road safety and traffic regulations have been conducted across the state as well as within the district. Under the aegis of the District Road Safety Committee, eight “black spots” accident-prone zones have been identified within the district. These locations include Kodurupaka Bridge Junction, Nandikaman Junction, Vemulawada Thippapur Bus Stand Junction, Sircilla Ambedkar Junction, Peddur, the area near the HP Petrol Bunk in Yellareddypet, Thangallapalli Padmanagar, and Sarampalli. He noted that precautionary measures have already been implemented in these specific areas and urged motorists to exercise extreme caution while traveling through them. He further revealed that various initiatives, such as free eye check-ups, have been organized for drivers across the district. He issued a strong advisory against driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol. He emphasized that two-wheeler riders must wear helmets, car occupants must fasten their seat belts, and children riding bicycles should utilize appropriate safety helmets. He strictly warned against allowing minors to drive vehicles, stating that if a minor is caught driving, a legal case will be registered against their parents. He also advised against triple riding (carrying three passengers on a two-wheeler) and driving in the wrong direction (against the flow of traffic). He urged every motorist to uphold road safety regulations as a matter of social responsibility and to strictly adhere to all traffic rules. He reiterated that vehicles should not be handed over to minors, and when entrusted to adults, they should be given with specific instructions regarding safe driving practices. Subsequently, he administered a road safety pledge to the vehicle drivers present. Additional SP Chandrayya, DSPs Nagendrachari and Srinivasulu, District Transport Officer Lakshman Kumar, District Medical Officer Rajitha, Tahsildar Mahesh Kumar, CIs Srinivas, Nageswara Rao, Venkatesh, Veeraprasad, Venkateswarlu, Srinivas, and Madhukar, RIs Madhukar, Ramesh, Yadagiri, and Suresh, SIs, police and transport department officials, doctors, staff, and others participated in this program.
