Andhra ranks 6th in road fatalities; two-wheeler riders biggest victims

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has ranked sixth in fatalities in road accidents in terms of Road User (Two-Wheelers) categories in 2020. Deaths of two-wheeler riders in crashes have increased by over 12 percent. Over 52 percent of victims in road crashes are two-wheeler riders.

Experts said the two- with the least protective feature have become more popular for being the most affordable and easiest mode of transport. This is a clear indication of how more people have shifted to affordable private transport due to fear of Covid-19.

The Road Accidents in India-2020 data published by the Transport Research Wing of the ministry of transport show that as compared to fatalities of 3,287 two-wheeler occupants in 2019 in Andhra Pradesh, it increased to 3,714 in 2020. As compared to total fatalities of 7,039 in the state in 2020, it decreased by over 13 percent when compared to 7,984 fatalities in 2019. The data also said that at least five two-wheeler riders died every day in the state for not wearing helmets. As many as 1,728 two-wheeler riders were killed and 950 two-wheeler riders suffered grievous injuries in 2020 in the state for not wearing the safety device.

Road Transport Authority (RTA) officials said at least 30 to 40 percent of motorists in the state ignore wearing the safety devices despite the increasing awareness drives by various agencies. The high share of fatalities of two-wheeler occupants has been a major cause of concern in the state. Anti-lock braking systems and combined braking systems have been made mandatory to improve safety in two-wheelers, yet the number of fatalities has been increasing.

The use of helmets has already been made compulsory for motorists in the state since November 2015. However, some motorists continue to flout the norms and make the road not safer for others. Like in some countries, there is a need to segregate a separate lane for two-wheelers to avoid conflict with other vehicles on the road, the experts added.

KEY POINTS

-As many as 19,509 road accidents were reported in AP in 2020

-6,531 fatal road accidents were reported in AP in 2020

-A total of 30,639 persons were killed in road crashes in AP in the past four years (2017 to 2020)

-The accident severity rate in AP is 36.1, while all India's average is 36.

-507 females (two-wheelers) died in road crashes in AP in 2020.

-684 pillion riders were killed and 573 pillions suffered grievous injuries for not wearing helmets in AP in 2020.

-AP had 70 lakh motor vehicles in March 2014, which increased to 1.46 crore vehicles by December 2021, (more than 100 percent growth in seven years.

-Motorcycles had constituted 78% of the total fleet in 2014, while the share of the two-wheelers went past the 89% mark in 2021.