Road humps, which surface every few kilometres on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, have emerged as a major nuisance to motorists. Laid unscientifically, many of these road humps have been identified as the cause for mishaps, particularly at night.
S. Prasad, a regular driver on the 140-km long highway, said the road humps, some which are laid almost overnight, often take him by surprise. Neither are they painted nor do they have reflectors or signboards to draw the driver’s attention.
Azeem Farhan, whose car was hit by a trailing car recently when he applied brakes after spotting a road hump at the last moment, called driving by night on the highway a nightmarish experience. Many regular drivers on the highway have cited instances of motorists losing control when they drive over speed breakers, sometimes causing injuries to the occupants.
Despite repeated assurances from the State government to remove unscientific road humps, most of which have been laid at the behest of residents of villages along the highway, little progress has been made.
Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa, who frequently travels by the highway, admitted that many of the estimated 100 road humps on the road had been laid unscientifically and did not conform to the specifications of the Indian Road Congress.
With the Union Transport Ministry deciding to upgrade the four-lane road to a six-lane national highway soon, Mr. Mahadevappa said the unscientific road humps will be removed when the is taken up. “We will ensure that speed breakers are put only where necessary and they strictly conform to the safety standards, which includes painting and illuminating by reflectors.” Motorists, therefore, will have to wait till the government goes ahead with the upgradation of the highway. There is no confirmation on when the work will commence.
