Road Transport Authority (RTA) and police officials have appealed to vehicle users and drivers to use helmet or seat belt and follow traffic rules to prevent road accidents.
The enforcement officers observed that many accidents were occurring due to negligence and several lives could be saved if head-gear and seat belts were used.
DCP M. Ravindranath Babu said on Saturday that Machavaram sub-inspector Shivakoti Chinni Babu (27) had died in a road accident on December 31 night, just because he did not put on the helmet.
District Transport Commissioner (DTC) A. Mohan said that of the 305 deaths that occurred in road accidents in the city during 2011, a few victims could have survived, had they use helmets or seat belts.
Mr. Ravindranath Babu and Mr. Mohan drove vehicles by wearing helmets and flagged off the vehicle rally at the DTC Office, as part of the `National Road Safety Week'.
A native of Gollaprolu mandal in East Godavari district, Chinni Babu had worked as clerk in a nationalised bank before he was selected for the Police Department. The young officer, after completion of training, joined as sub-inspector two months ago.
“The SI, who hailed from an agriculture family, was returning home after attending duty. Had Chinni Babu worn the head gear, he would have survived. He died because of severe head injury'', said the DCP.
Machavaram SI T.Srinivas Reddy who investigated the case said that the SI was hit by a speeding car near LIC Colony. Doctors said he succumbed to head injuries and heavy bleeding while being shifted to the hospital.
The police arrested four persons, including two medicos, who were responsible for the accident, said Mr. Reddy.
"Chinni Babu's incident should be an eye opener. Vehicle riders should use helmet compulsorily to protect themselves from head injuries during road accidents,'' said Mr. Ravindranath.
