Need to build more foot overbridges and widen roads to reduce accidents in Visakhapatnam, say officials

District road safety committee mandates pillion riders to wear helmets; officials push for FoBs and road widening to reduce accidents.

The district road safety committee members, which also includes the city police, have passed orders making it mandatory for pillion riders to use helmets from September 1.

The decision has evoked mostly positive response from the officials as well as public. Police officials said that the number of pillion riders who are being injured and even succumbing to the injuries on the roads, especially on the NH-16, is increasing year by year and the latest decision will definitely bring a change.

“There are many instances when a two-wheeler’s handle came in contact with a heavy vehicle on the NH-16. In most of the cases, the rider suffers minor injuries, while the pillion rider dies after coming under the wheels or hits the road leading to severe head injuries. If the pillion riders also wear helmet, then there are good chances of they surviving,” said a senior Traffic Inspector citing a case study.

However, as per the members of the road safety committee, there are still a number of issues to be addressed to control the road accidents in the city.

As per a senior police official, Foot Over Bridges (FoBs) are the need of the hour in the city limits. With the growing vehicle population and urbanisation, FoBs are necessary, as many accidents are being reported when motorists have been applying sudden brakes.

“Between Maddilapalem Junction and NAD Junction, there are 38 pedestrian crossings, which is very abnormal. If a motorists maintain some speed and applies sudden brake citing a pedestrian suddenly jumping on the road, that may lead to a fatal accident,” said a traffic official.

It was learnt that the city police have urged the administration to build at least 10 FoBs with lift facility in a year in between Tagarapuvalasa and Lankelapalem stretch and complete 30 in three years.