Hyderabad has witnessed a worrying rise in road accidents, with fatal incidents on city roads drawing attention to the urgent need for road safety measures. According to recent reports, the city’s accident count has surged by 14.5% over the last two years, highlighting significant safety challenges for commuters.
Reckless driving and overspeeding have been identified as leading factors contributing to these accidents. A tragic incident on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) recently claimed two lives and left several others injured in a high-speed crash involving multiple vehicles. In another instance, a mother and her infant daughter lost their lives in a collision on the city’s outskirts. Similarly, two individuals died when their car rammed into a stationary truck on Rajiv Rahadari.
The Acko Accidents Index Report 2024 ranks Hyderabad as one of the most accident-prone cities in India, with 46% fewer cars on its roads compared to Delhi but a significant rise in fatal accidents.
Also Read: Rash Driving Accident in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills Highlights Importance of Road Safety
The Hyderabad Traffic Police and GHMC have identified 65 accident-prone zones across the city and are working to mitigate risks through stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns. Despite these efforts, the increase in accidents underscores the need for greater vigilance.
“Most cases of road fatalities involve overspeeding, drunk driving, and negligence. Identifying hotspots is just the first step. Stricter enforcement and awareness are critical to reducing fatalities,” said a road safety analyst.
Pedestrians account for 42% of accident fatalities in Hyderabad, with poorly maintained infrastructure like zebra crossings and roads exacerbating the issue. Frequent complaints about the lack of safety measures, such as proper road signage and infrastructure, highlight gaps in GHMC’s execution of road safety plans.
Some areas, including Nizampet, Ameenpur, Pahadishareef, Tukkuguda, and Peda Amberpet, face jurisdictional challenges as they fall outside GHMC limits. These areas often struggle with limited budgetary support for road safety measures, unlike GHMC-managed zones.
Efforts to improve safety include penalties for helmet-less riding, drunk driving, and overspeeding. However, experts stress the need for sustained campaigns and improved infrastructure to create safer roads. “Recent fatalities, including the crashes on the ORR, highlight the critical need for immediate action,” said a traffic police official.
(This story is sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Raavi Media takes no responsibility or liability of any nature. Raavi Media management/ythisnews.com can alter or delete the content without notice for any reason.)
