Fatal Accident in Kurnool Occurs Minutes Before Police 'Face Wash and Go' Drive

A tragic road accident near Chilakaladona in the Yemmiganur police limits of Kurnool district resulted in the deaths of eight people. The incident occurred on Thursday, just minutes before the scheduled commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Police's 'Face Wash and Go' safety programme at the nearby Dharmapuram toll plaza. This initiative, active across the state for over a year, requires drivers to stop and wash their faces between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. to combat drowsiness and prevent sleep-related accidents. Yemmiganur Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhargavi explained that the timing targets the period when drivers are most prone to falling asleep. Following the mishap, District Collector Dr. A. Siri visited the Government General Hospital in Kurnool to inquire about the condition of the injured survivors. The proximity of the fatal crash to the implementation of the safety drive highlights the persistent challenges in preventing highway accidents despite targeted police interventions aimed at reducing driver fatigue during early morning hours.