The dawn of July 31, 2014 was devastating for the family of Balakrishnan (42), who was returning from the Koyambedu market on his motorcycle with vegetables for his small shop in Jafferkhanpet. He was fatally knocked down by a speeding MTC bus near Kasi cinema hall.
“He was the sole breadwinner for the family. His wife Vannakkili and three-year-old son Mukesh have a tough time ahead as she has had to close the shop. She is contemplating moving to her native village,” lamented the victim’s brother Radhakrishnan, who also added that compensation for the death is yet to be received.
Over 38 lakh vehicles ply in Chennai city, out of which the MTC fleet is only 3,531-strong. Yet this small number of government buses accounts for over 10 per cent of the fatalities on city roads.
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Statistics from 2010 onwards show that the number of deaths in accidents involving MTC buses has remained consistently around a 100 each year, and the victims include those below 18 years of age. The traffic police cite reckless driving by bus drivers as the main reason for the deaths.
“Government drivers have little regard for traffic signals or road rules. In case of a fatal accident, a case under Section 304 A (Causing death by negligence) of the IPC is registered. This is bailable. Never have I come across a case where a driver is convicted and loses his job,” said a senior traffic police officer.
Most drivers know for a fact that despite causing a fatal accident, they can get back behind the wheels soon, the officer added.
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According to Indian laws, a driver causing a fatal accident, if convicted, can receive a maximum jail time of two years and a fine of Rs. 5,000. Countries like Singapore, on the other hand, impose a life ban on the driver while the U.K. slaps a 14-year ban on driving with a huge sum as penalty.