What could be the reason for the alarming increase in the number of accidents in the district, especially in the city area? Well, the answer is nothing unique.
While some people cite the reason as the pathetic condition of roads, others view it as carelessness from the part of drivers. Both together are causing serious accidents at the rate of minimum one a day, adding to the number of victims who have lost lives on the roads. During last month and in the beginning of this month, the situation was no different.
Interestingly, in most of the cases, KSRTC buses are the villains. On November 1, a 41-year-old auto driver hailing from Chathampara was killed near Alamkode. His auto was rammed by a KSRTC fast passenger bus. On November 6, a 38-year-old housewife fell prey to a KSRTC bus at Ambalamukku.
On October 5, a five-and-a-half year old boy, who was riding pillion on a bike which was driven by his father, was killed when the bike lost control and hit an electric post. Just a day earlier, a 65-year-old man was killed when the bicycle he was riding on was hit by a bus.
On October 8, a youth who was travelling with his friend on a bike lost his life when the bike collided with another one. The same day, a 57-year-old man fell prey to the unnecessary hurry of a KSRTC driver. He was run over by the bus while alighting from it at Pappanamcode. On October 10, a young software engineer of IBS, Technopark, met with a fatal accident when the bike he was riding on collided with a tanker lorry at Kazhakkoottam. The next day, a 37-year-old man belonging Adimali died after the car he was driving collided with a tanker lorry at Karakkamandapam.
On October 29, a 26-year-old was killed near VJT Hall when the bike he was riding on was hit by a car. The very same day, a retired official of the ISRO was killed in a road accident. He was knocked down by an Omni van during his morning walk at Mettukkada.
The next day, a father and son lost their lives after their bike was mowed down by a KSRTC bus near General Hospital Junction. In yet another accident on the same day, a 50-year-old housewife became victim of an accident when she fell from the bike she was travelling with her husband after a KSRTC bus knocked the bike down at Peroorkada.
Traffic Department officials equally blame the KSRTC drivers and the two-wheeler riders for making the roads death traps. “The carelessness of drivers, especially that of KSRTC empanelled drivers, is the reason for most of the accidents,” said a circle inspector of the Traffic Police Station.
“The driving rules are hardly followed. The youth turn a blind eye towards the rules. Bus and lorry drivers are no better,” points out Traffic North Assistant Commissioner P Mohanan.
However, the public feel that a strong campaign should be launched by the authorities on the issue.