Fourteen persons, including an 8-year old girl and eight women, were killed when a Tamil Nadu State Corporation bus and an omni bus collided head-on at Vaagaikulam near Nanguneri, on the Tirunelveli - Nagercoil National Highway.
Cause - Eyewitnesses said the omni bus, proceeding from Chennai to Koodankulam, overtook a two-wheeler and collided against the TNSTC bus on its way from Nagercoil to Tirunelveli at 8.50 a.m. Nine persons were killed on the spot.
On Feb 6, 2007 Four persons were killed and one was injured in an accident involving a bus and a goods carrier on the Chennai-Kancheepuram Road, near Wallajabad, on Monday morning.
Cause - An iron girder protruding from the goods carrier ripped off the right-side rear portion of the State Transport Corporation bus at the Nathanallur junction.
In one day alone 18 persons have died on the roads in Tamilnadu. There are many such incidents which even goes unreported in the media. We might think its unfortunate for those involved in these accidents but these deaths could all have been prevented and these accidents averted. It was because of the callousness of certain road users. A small mistake by one can be devastating for many innocent families.
Take for instance the first accident, if the omni bus driver instead of over taking had little patience, 14 precious lives could have seen the dawn of today. For many, life will never be the same again. Looking at the world from a disabled perspective can be traumatic for any person. Their productivity comes to a halt affecting the economy of their family as well as our country.
And the second instance is such a drastic violation of law. A protruding iron girder from a transport vehicle rips apart a vehicle killing 4 on the spot. Iron girders protruding out of vehicles are such a common sight in the city. Even if it’s a violation of the law it still continues with the connivance of the concerned department.
When I was on a national highway recently, a cab driver remarked,” Life costs just above a couple of thousands, if we find a good lawyer the amount can still be brought down”. For any road accidents, the driver escapes from the accident site and surrenders at the nearest police station and in some cases they run away. He is booked for the accident, spends few hours in a jail and released later after paying a paltry amount of fine. And he gets to drive his killing machine again. This can only happen in India, with the glaring loopholes in its penal code. Its high time the government swings into action at least by setting right all these anomalies. The punishment should be severe so that they don’t commit these offences again. “ This mentality of paying fine and escaping the clutches of law should change ” opines the families who have lost their loved ones in road accidents.
Recently, the Delhi high court took suo moto cognizance of newspaper reports on the rising number of fatalities on roads. They also suggested wide ranging reforms, including deployment of traffic police at bus stands. But these can be only considered only consoling as there is much that needs to be done. The need of the hour is some stringent policy should be evolved by the authorities.
Every day there are thousands of new vehicles that hit the road. It’s a very health sign indeed signaling the economic boom of our country. But it’s also a grim reminder that these vehicles can also affect the economy of our country if not put to proper use. The road width remains to be the same and very little is done with regard to widening, maintaining or construction of new roads. Of course there are now better highways and toll roads but more needs to be done bearing in mind with the growing population. And this plight is worsened by so many factors and the list seems to be endless..
() Non maintenance of vehicle (brake failures, wheel non alignment, tyre burst )
() Driver Error (drunken, overtaking, speeding, non adherence to road rules, overworking)
() Bullock carts, cattle’s straying into road, children playing on the road( flying kites, cricket ), jaywalking.
We may not be able to bring back those who have laid down the precious lives on the road but at least we can ensure that no one dies on our roads in the days to come.. Is it fair to tax others because of our carelessness is our life worth just Rs 2000/-, think about it.
Try to put this in a box or something. Road Safety Tips for a better ride
Speed
Always bear in mind that the faster you drive, the less control you have over your vehicle. On an highway, Truck drivers often drink to compensate for the weariness of daily, lengthy driving, while many others are in a holiday mood, so be extra cautious on a highway.
Avoid Night drive:
Statistics overwhelmingly identify most of the fatal accidents happen late at night or very early in the morning.
Say a big NO to phones:
No calls while driving or riding, people can always wait
Travel by Government or private buses
Prefer the seats in the middle of the buses.
Wear helmet if you are in a highway (rule or not wear one )
Maintain your vehicle
Don’t overburden – understand the limitations of the vehicle
Watch the roads – No Sight seeing while driving
Always anticipate and drive
Have a first aid kit in your vehicle
Avoid overtake and never ever overtake from your left side
Respect Signals
Well in no way its an advice...a little caution can save us and others...