Andhra Pradesh Grapples with High Private Bus Accident Rate Over Five Years
Vijayawada: A concerning trend of road accidents involving private buses has been documented in Andhra Pradesh over the recent five-year period from 2020 to 2024. Official data, disclosed in the Lok Sabha, reveals a total of 1,629 accidents where private buses impacted other vehicles during this timeframe.
Year-by-Year Breakdown Shows 2022 as Peak Accident Period
The statistics, presented by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in response to an unstarred question from Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar, highlight a fluctuating yet alarming pattern. The year 2022 emerged as the most hazardous, with 447 incidents recorded—the highest annual figure in the span.
The detailed annual figures are as follows:
- 2020: 251 accidents
- 2021: 305 accidents
- 2022: 447 accidents (peak year)
- 2023: 288 accidents
- 2024: 338 accidents
This data indicates a slight decline in 2023, but a resurgence in 2024, underscoring ongoing safety challenges.
Government Regulations and Safety Measures Emphasized
In his parliamentary reply, Minister Gadkari outlined the regulatory framework aimed at mitigating such incidents. He emphasized that all transport vehicles, including private buses, must hold a valid certificate of fitness issued under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Fitness testing is mandated:
- Biennially for the first eight years
- Annually thereafter, as per Rule 62
This process is designed to ensure compliance with prescribed safety and emission standards. Additionally, to bolster safety, particularly for women and children, the installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and emergency buttons in public service vehicles, including private buses, has been made mandatory under Rule 125H of the same rules.
Officials Cite Key Contributing Factors to Accidents
Transport department officials have identified several primary causes behind these accidents. Key factors include:
- Overspeeding by drivers
- Driver fatigue due to long hours
- Poor enforcement of existing traffic regulations
- Increasing vehicular density on highways and urban roads
Authorities have reiterated that proactive steps are being implemented to enhance enforcement mechanisms and reduce accident rates involving private buses, aiming to improve overall road safety in the state.
