Bad roads could be one of the main reasons for the ever mounting accidents. But another reason that contributes to the accidents is movement of stray cattle, including cows, buffaloes, sheep and dogs, on roads.
Bovines grazing close to the National Highway within the city is posing a great danger to motorists, particularly two-wheelers. It quite often proves to be a Herculean task for the motorists to drive on the highway
The average speed on the NH varies from 60 to 80 kmph, but in most cases motorists cross the limit and if a fully grown buffalo appears suddenly ahead of a speeding vehicle, there can be an accident, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Kinjarapu Prabhakar.
Cattle grazing on the NH in the city limit that stretches from Anandapuram to Lankelapalem is a common sight, including till late in the evening, and as per the traffic police 3 to 4 % of the accidents are caused due to stray cattle. “Luckily, in the last couple of years all accidents related to this reason were non-fatal, but we did have fatalities in the past,” said Mr. Prabhakar.
There are a few vulnerable spots such as Arilova, Kommadi, Madhurwada, Agnampudi, Anandapuram, Endada and Marikavalasa, where sray cattle, especially buffaloes can be seen crossing the NH. And that is because there are a few cattle sheds close to the NH.
“The owners are least bothered to tether them or taking them to a grazing spot far from the roadside,” said Anil Kumar, medical representative, who met with an accident near Arilova after ramming a buffalo that suddenly strayed into the NH, about a week ago.
In Visakhapatnam this year till August end the total number of accidents recorded were about 1090 with 241 deaths and 942 non-fatal accidents.
“Of the recorded non-fatal accidents, about 42 were due to the cattle and stray dogs,” said the ACP.
“We have notified this to the GVMC and it is learnt that they are forming a team to take away such straying cattle to a cattle pen,” Mr. Prabhakar added.