accidents

HYDERABAD: Telangana DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy on Friday said that road accidents have impacted almost every family in the state, either through relatives or close acquaintances who have become victims. He made these remarks while launching the *Arrive Alive* road safety initiative at LB Stadium, alongside Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar.

Expressing concern over the alarming rise in accident-related deaths, the DGP said that while around 800 people are killed in murder cases every year in Telangana, nearly 8,000 lose their lives in road accidents. Most of the victims, he noted, are pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.

Shivadhar emphasised the need for drivers to remain alert and exercise basic “common sense” on the roads. Pointing out common mistakes, he said many riders wear helmets without fastening them, rendering them ineffective. “If it’s not buckled, what is the use of wearing it?” he asked.

He stressed that road accidents are a serious concern that require urgent attention. The *Arrive Alive* programme, he said, will soon be expanded across Telangana as part of a large-scale public awareness campaign. Defensive driving and being conscious of others on the road are key to preventing accidents, he added.

Hyderabad CP Sajjanar said the city records around 3,000 road accidents each year, resulting in nearly 300 deaths. Despite continuous awareness efforts, many people still violate traffic rules, he said. To curb this, the police will soon implement stricter enforcement measures, including the formation of special teams.