Unlicensed AP drivers involved in over 2,600 road accidents

VISAKHAPATNAM: As many as 2,621 road accidents (over 12 per cent of the total 21,249 accidents) that happened in Andhra Pradesh in 2022 involved drivers without licence and in 3,115 accidents, the licence details of the drivers were not known.

In 719 accidents, the drivers had a learner's licence. One in every three road accidents in AP is caused by motorists without a driving licence or motorists with or without a driving licence involved in hit and run cases.Though there is no clarity on how the licence details are missing, the officials say it is difficult to identify the drivers in some hit-and-run cases.
70% accidents in AP caused by drivers with licence
The 'Road accidents-2022' report published by the Union ministry of road transport and highways says Andhra Pradesh stood sixth in the country in reporting accidents involving unlicensed drivers. Around 15% of the accidents involved drivers whose licence details were not known. There was over 12% increase in these types of accident cases in 2022 when compared to that of 2021.
A senior police officer said driving without a helmet and licence is becoming common among most students. Most parts of the state lack traffic awareness when it comes to wearing helmets, fastening seat belts and having valid driving licences. The vehicles driven by untrained and unqualified drivers are serious traffic hazards, he added.
Experts in road safety opined that though the problem (riding vehicles without a driving licence) is basically an enforcement issue, it must also be addressed with better understanding. There is a need to impose hefty fines for riding vehicle without licence and insurance, they added.
Around 70% of road accidents in the state were caused by drivers with valid licences. Holders of valid driving licences were responsible for over 14,794 road accidents in the state in 2022. Officials say drivers with valid driving licences are violating traffic norms and indulging in other malpractices. There is a need to create better facilities and opportunities for training or skilling, and evaluation or testing.
Most of the licence holders are untrained drivers. Some people never took a driving test and only a few understand the road rules. And a vehicle in the hands of an untrained driver is no less than a weapon, said police officers. A total of 8,293 people were killed and 21,340 injured in 21,249 road accidents in the state in 2022.