It was a close shave for 39 passengers on Wednesday afternoon when a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus smashed through the concrete railing on the ramp of Anna flyover and tumbled onto Anna Salai in Chennai city . Though investigations are still underway on cause of the accident, it has once again brought into focus the ban on use of cell phones by bus crew while on duty, and over-speeding.
While the MTC authorities blamed over-speeding for the accident, the trade unions allege that the driver is being framed and the fault with the bus is being downplayed. It has also been alleged that MTC vehicles are not maintained well enough and trade unions have also protested the unfair treatment meted out to the bus driver.
Some commuters travelling in the ill-fated bus complained that the driver was holding a mobile phone when the accident took place, following which the traffic police team is tracking cell phone towers near the flyover to check the veracity of this allegation.
This accident has led to the various organisations and individuals urging the government machinery to strictly implement the ban on use of mobile phones while driving and to check over-speeding.
The ban came into force in January 2010, following several complaints from the public that drivers were talking on cell phones while on duty, leading to accidents.
The transport crew were also warned of stringent action if they violated the ban.
The slapping of the ban has only brought down the incidents of drivers using mobile phones while driving to a considerable extent, but has not put an end to this menace in toto, many claim. Many
They say that the police are also responsible for such accidents as rash driving, jumping of signal and halting in the middle of the road happen without getting punished. Common people also blame the transport department and the State transport corporation authorities for not taking serious initiative for checking the menace.
The authorities have simply issued warning with stringent action if drivers were found using mobile phones while at the wheels of vehicles.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) authorities here say that action has been taken on erring bus crews since the rule came into force two years ago.
The transport corporation has also formed mobile teams in the city in an attempt to stop speaking over phones while driving.
The TNSTC Tiruchi region has taken serious initiative to put an end to this problem in four districts of Tiruchi, Karur, Perambalur and Karur, covered by the region, says N. Pasupathi, general manager, TNSTC, Tiruchi region. Drivers have been given strict instructions to hand over mobile phones to conductors before commencing their duty. Conductors hand over the mobile phones to drivers only after the bus reaches depots.
The TNSTC Tiruchi region has formed six special squads, who take turns to carry out surprise checks in running buses in all the four districts.
Whenever drivers are found to be violating the rule, the drivers are placed under suspension immediately, Mr. Pasupathi says. Such action has been initiated against many drivers in the last two years, he adds.
Moreover, the TNSTC has also made it a point to create awareness among the bus crew on the importance of safety. The TNSTC has allotted Rs.3 lakh every month for imparting training and creating awareness among drivers on safe driving, ill-effects of drunken driving and using mobile phones while on wheels, Mr. Pasupathi says.
“In fact, the menace has come down very much due to the stern action taken against violators,” he pointed out.
Trade unions too play a constructive role in discouraging drivers from using mobile phones while on duty. “The government slapped a ban on drivers using mobile phones only a couple of years. But the Tamil Nadu AITUC Transport Workers Federation, understanding the danger of using mobile phones, has been directing its members not to use cell phones for many years,” says the State deputy general secretary N. Mani. This particular aspect is being stressed in every communication being sent to its members and it has been received positively by those concerned, Mr. Mani says.
D. Saminathan of Karumandapam is of the opinion that the Chennai accident should be an eye-opener to all concerned.
At least now the transport department officials should swing into action and initiate strict action against drivers using mobile phones while on duty, he says.
In spite of repeated warnings many drivers are negligent of passengers’ safety. The authorities can conduct frequent surprise checks to put an end to this issue.
The bus crew may be directed to handover the mobile phones at the depots before commencing their duty, says R.Sundharamoorthy of Mappadugai near Mayiladuthurai.
