Dance of death continues on capital’s roads, be it the bustling Bowenpally, outskirts such as Vanasthalipuram witnessing high volumes of traffic or sparsely populated sub-urban locality of Badangpet.
Three different road accidents reported at different places in the city within a fortnight -though more occurred during the same time- suggest many of these deaths can be avoided. With no concerted efforts from various Government departments coupled with erratic behaviour of road users, precious lives are being snuffed out.
An APSRTC bus driver got burnt alive after he rammed an oncoming DCM van on Bowenpally police station main road on September 9. While the bus was damaged completely, over 40 passengers had a miraculous escape with some suffering minor injuries.
The stretch where the accident occurred is known for its dangerous blind curves, yet no divider was laid on the road. There is no proper lighting system nor signboards to caution the drivers about the blind curves or road marking.
“Still, such accidents can be averted if drivers are cautious and alert enough to notice approaching vehicles in opposite direction,” says Bowenpally Inspector N. Sudhir who examined the accident spot. It was fortunate that all passengers managed to get off even as the bus was engulfed in flames.
Life of four-year-old Nandia, a lower kindergarten student, too could have been saved if the driver of her school bus -under which she got crushed to death- had taken little care. The tiny tot got off the bus and was walking towards her home a few yards away when the driver started it only to run over her on September 20 at Meerpet.
While investigators believe driver’s fault cut short the kid’s life, many forget that it was made mandatory to have attendants in school vans and buses to assist children to board and alight the vehicles. “Why cannot schools, parents, RTA officials ensure assistants are available in school vehicles to help the kids?” is a question no one wants to answer.
Fifty-year-old Srinivas stopped his two-wheeler before a traffic signal light at Autonagar junction in Vanasthalipuram when a lorry rammed him from behind on September 18. The traffic lights were not working then due to heavy rain, and waiting to move safely past the junction cost his life.
Despite poor road conditions and failed signal lights, these road accidents could have been avoided if the drivers and other road users were careful. Not just three deaths but many fatal accidents too can be averted with small precautions by road users, police say.
(eom)
