Youth love riding but hate helmets

Youth love riding but hate helmets
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Highlights

Youngsters love two-wheelers but hate helmets citing lame reasons. Cases of youth, including youth dying in road accidents, have brought into sharp focus the reluctance among youth to adopt safety measures while driving.  

Visakhapatnam: Youngsters love two-wheelers but hate helmets citing lame reasons. Cases of youth, including youth dying in road accidents, have brought into sharp focus the reluctance among youth to adopt safety measures while driving.

According to traffic police records, 487 two-wheeler mishaps took place in 2015, 533 in 2016 and 514 in 2017 respectively. Whereas between January and February 237 accidents occurred in the city limits. In 76 accidents, majority of mishaps met by two wheelers, while 19 persons were killed and 67 injured.

Similarly, 58 four-wheeler accidents took place in which six people died and 59 suffered injuries. Heavy vehicle drivers (lorry and tippers) were involved in 48 accidents while 10 were killed and 53 injured. Twenty-six minor accidents involving auto drivers took place in the busy traffic roads in which three persons died while undergoing treatment and 27 others were injured. The remaining 29 accidents took place due to road extensions, slippery roads and while undergoing maintenance works in the city.

ADCP Traffic M Ramesh Kumar speaking to The Hans India said that the increase in speed and size of vehicles and the expansion of road networks, conflict points between pedestrians and other road users are some of the reasons for the rise in accidents.

When asked about awareness levels among the city two-wheeler riders about traffic rules, the ADCP admitted that it was low. He called upon the parents of the students not to encourage their children by giving them high speed bikes without helmet and driving licence.

He pointed out that kin of the road accident victims were facing tough time to claim the insurance as many of the accidents took place while driving/riding in the wrong direction by violating traffic rules. The ADCP also added that the owners of the autos, cars and heavy vehicles should create awareness among their drivers regarding traffic rules while driving the vehicles to avoid accidents.

By PHANI SUNI

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