AP records maximum road accidents during evening rush hours: NCRB

Visakhapatnam: Road accidents and fatalities marginally declined in Andhra Pradesh in 2024 when compared to 2023, but urban and semi-urban roads in the state remained hazardous, particularly after peak office hours. The peak period for road accidents in the state during 2024 was between 6 pm and 9 pm, with over one-fifth of all incidents occurring in these three hours, according to the latest NCRB data.The report reveals that Andhra Pradesh recorded a total of 1,9557 road accidents in 2024, causing injuries to 19,894 motorists and claiming 8,346 lives. The majority of the deceased persons in the road crashes were two-wheeler riders, as 4,276 persons died in the state, as per the mode of transport-wise number of persons who died in road accidents.Nearly 22% of the total road accidents -- 4,281 cases -- took place between 6 pm and 9 pm. The 3 pm to 6 pm period accounted for around 18 per cent, or 3,436 accidents; 2,968 accidents, or 15 per cent of the road crashes, were reported between 12 noon and 3 pm.March, October and November were the worst months for Andhra Pradesh, witnessing 1,912, 1,899 and 1,811 road accidents respectively.However, a deeper analysis of accident trends in urban and semi-urban localities in the state clearly suggests that police and road transport authority departments must intensify efforts to curb crashes during peak evening hours and reduce fatalities in afternoon accidents.The police have observed that Vizag has witnessed the maximum number of road accidents immediately after peak office hours. Over-speeding and reckless overtaking, combined with a section of new two-wheeler riders not following traffic norms, are to be blamed for the most fatal accidents in the city.“We have been implementing various measures to combat the road crashes in Vizag city. Speed monitoring has been intensified in parts of the city with the deployment of three advanced radar guns and speed cameras in accident-prone zones. Increased patrolling during peak evening hours and awareness campaigns continue to educate motorists about responsible driving,” said ADCP (Traffic) Praveen Kumar.