Speed control on Mumbai-Pune expressway will ensure safety

Another tragic accident on the Mumbai-Pune expressway on Monday claimed the lives of six of a family raising the number of those killed to 16 since the start of  this year. Puneites speak up on the reason for frequent accidents on the expressway.

Most road deaths happen due to delay in medical emergency services
I have worked in the area of emergency services and I feel the Maharashtra government must start the 108 emergency service in the state. Most deaths that happen in road accidents are because the medical emergency service could not reach the spot on time.

The state government is in the process of launching the 108 service in the next few months.

The GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) is an interstate service that handles medical, police and fire emergencies through the 108 emergency service. A free service, delivered through emergency call response centres, it has been implemented across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

I have used the expressways in foreign countries and my observation is that we lack road etiquette, lane discipline and a sense of braking distance. I don’t think policing or penalising helps. People have to realise that it is their moral responsibility to observe road etiquette. Why should the police point out indiscipline on the road? Road discipline must be a part of the school curriculum, so that the next generation grows up to become responsible road users.
Dr Prasad Rajhans, chief intensivist, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital

Poor driving skills are the root cause for e-way accidents
Driving on the expressway requires a completely different mindset and good driving skills. The concept of an expressway is relatively new in India and we still have to get used to driving on these roads. It is tempting to drive at a high speed on a good road. 

Accidents happen on the expressway due to poor driving skills. Drivers need to have different training and experience on highways. We do not even have a good system of issuing licences to drivers. In countries like the US or UK, it is rare to get a driving licence in the first attempt. In India, you can get a licence first and then start learning how to drive from an agent or driving school. We need to be stringent in this respect.

The problem is not of law enforcement, but of lack of driving skills. We must try to solve the root cause instead of looking at peripheral issues.
Sujit Patwardhan, traffic activist & trustee, Parisar

A vigilance mechanism to check indiscipline on e-way is in process
When the Mumbai-Pune expressway started, people realised that they had to follow lane discipline, adhere to the speed limit and observe road etiquette. However, over a period of time, they got used to the road and started overlooking these aspects. These same people will use their seat belts and follow traffic rules in Mumbai because they know they will get caught if they don’t do it. Though there are signboards indicating a speed limit of 80kmph and accident-prone spots at various points on the expressway, no one bothers to take note.

Highway law enforcement began in 2009, but the power that the highway police have is not even half of that of officials from the traffic department or Regional Transport Office.

A vigilance mechanism to check indiscipline on the expressway is in process. We are developing a law enforcement system and we will use techniques to capture offenders on video and photo cameras as proof.
Dilip Bhujbal, superintendent of police (highway)

Overtaking vehicles from the wrong side is a common practice
There are many problems that crop up while travelling on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. Firstly, owners of expensive cars feel they are the kings of the road and drive zigzag or any way they want. Overtaking vehicles from the wrong side is a common practice. Most people are also unaware of which lane you are allowed to overtake from. Many times, heavy vehicles block the road and motorists take this as a chance to get past other vehicles. As per the traffic rules, heavy vehicles are not supposed to take the first lane, but they do so in any case. Traffic discipline is not followed at all, particularly by cab drivers who are in a hurry to complete their job.
Hemant Thakkar, businessman

Those who are not used to driving at night should not try it on e-way
People are not used to driving at night, but still end up taking the risk. This is extremely dangerous. Moreover, drivers do not keep a check on the speed when they see an empty road.

Lane discipline is an alien concept for most drivers. They overtake from wherever they get the space to do so. Many times, heavy vehicles are parked on the side, but since the tail lights are off, they are not visible to other drivers. This causes a lot of problems. Drunk driving is also rampant among drivers.
Sujeet Patharkar, executive, Bank of New York

Speeding, fatigue due to continuous driving are major causes
Speeding is a major problem on our roads. Small cars race beyond 100kmph, while heavy containers, trucks and high-range cars are seen racing beyond 180kmph on the expressway. There is a serious danger of a tyre burst due to speeding. Apart from that, many truck and container drivers are constantly on the move, without any breaks. The fatigue makes them sleepy and affects their concentration. Recently, I witnessed a mishap due to this.

The container driver was so exhausted that he lost control of the steering wheel due to which the vehicle skid and blocked one side of the expressway for more than two hours.
Other reasons for mishaps are drunk driving, dangerous overtaking, lane cutting, glare caused by the sun during daytime or vehicle lights coming from the other direction at night and so on.
Sachin Borade, senior software test engineer

Keeping a constant speed is essential on any highway
I travel to Mumbai regularly via the expressway and often at odd hours when I have to take a flight to Delhi. I always ensure that my driver gets enough rest, does not speed and overtake other vehicles.

Heavy vehicles, like trucks and trailers, are a major problem on the expressway. They usually use the fast lane that is meant for light vehicles. Particularly in the Lonavla ghat section, they leave no space for motorists and cut lanes without giving any signal.

Thus, smaller cars, in an attempt to get ahead, fall into dangerous situations that lead to accidents.

The expressway should also be maintained properly. While travelling towards Pune, a stretch of the road after crossing Lonavla, has a huge depression. Vehicles travelling at high speed can easily slip off the road here. The discipline expected on the expressway has been defined and it is essential that people follow it. Maintaining a constant speed is important on highways. The car tyres in India are not suitable for high-speed driving due to the hot weather.
Mahesh Kulkarni, programme coordinator, C-DAC
& head, GIST Group