State reviews strategies to curb road accidents

Retired Supreme Court Judge Abhay Manohar Sapre, Chairman of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, held a high-level meeting with senior Telangana officials on Wednesday at Hotel Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, to review the State’s road safety initiatives. The Committee monitors enforcement of traffic laws and promotes best practices in engineering, enforcement, and emergency response.      

Justice Sapre highlighted the alarming national statistics, noting India records around 500 road deaths daily, or 25 every hour. “Accidents are preventable and avoidable; they are not the will of God,” he stressed, urging collective responsibility to reduce fatalities.

Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao briefed the Committee on Telangana’s measures, while Home Secretary Ravi Gupta reaffirmed the State’s commitment to road safety. DGP Jitendra outlined the use of AI and data analytics in traffic enforcement, and Transport Commissioner Surendra Mohan presented year-wise accident and vehicle statistics. 

Principal Secretary (Education) Yogita Rana spoke about integrating road safety modules in schools, while HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed and GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan detailed on-ground measures, including blackspot removal, lane marking, pothole repairs, and improved signage.

Officials noted Telangana ranks 8th nationally in accidents and 10th in fatalities, with overspeeding, drunk driving, mobile use, and non-use of helmets and seatbelts as key causes. Justice Sapre urged intensified awareness campaigns for youth and working adults and expressed interest in reviewing implementation to document best practices for other States.

The meeting included Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, Principal Secretary Ilambarthi, TGSRTC MD V.C. Sajjanar, and senior officials from traffic, roads, and national highways departments.