Two accidents on different highways claiming 13 lives on two consecutive days have once again brought into focus how these good roads can turn into killer zones due to reckless and drunk driving.
Two accidents on different highways claiming 13 lives on two consecutive days have once again brought into focus how these good roads can turn into killer zones due to reckless and drunk driving.
Last Tuesday, seven members belonging to two families in the city, including a minor girl, were killed on the Pune-Solapur highway while returning from Pandharpur. They were travelling in an Alto car when a truck coming from the opposite direction hit the side of the car side while crossing it. All of them died on
the spot.
Six people were killed and seven sustained serious injuries in Manchar on the Pune-Nashik highway last Wednesday when a truck collided head on with the Maruti Omni van in which they were
travelling.
According to figures released by the Pune rural police, the number of mishaps and deaths are increasing under its jurisdiction, which includes parts of five highways, including the Pune-Mumbai
expressway.
Over 50% of these accidents take place on the highways. The Pune rural police in 2010 had registered 99 more deaths due to accidents compared to the previous year. In 2010, 871 people lost their lives due to road mishaps.
Till April this year, 319 people have lost their lives in 283 accidents.
According to the police, most fatalities took place on the Pune-Nashik highway: 36 people. The death toll due to mishaps on the Pune-Solapur highway, Pune-Mumbai old highway and Pune-Mumbai expressway was also high.
Speaking to DNA, Pune rural police inspector Mohan Jadhav said, “The good road conditions allure some to drive at high speeds. They should not indulge in reckless driving as it could lead to
accidents.”
According to him, there were cases when drivers have indulged in drink and drive that have caused fatal mishaps. “Drivers of heavy vehicles consume liquor before taking the wheel, resulting in fatalities,” he said.
Another reason for accidents is punctured dividers on the highways and other roads. “Some vehicles use the gaps to cross over to the other side of the highway, leading to accidents as speeding vehicles hit vehicles taking the turn. These gaps are especially dangerous during nights,” he said.
According to some police officials, political interference is a big concern in maintaining discipline among vehicle drivers. “If someone breaks the traffic law, the offenders seek help from politicians. Consequently, we have to set them free,” an official said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}