Mobile use and speeding caused Kottarakkara tipper crash, confirms MVD investigation report

KOLLAM: Over-speeding and distracted driving due to mobile phone use led to the tragic tipper lorry accident in Kottarakkara that claimed three lives, including that of a Class 10 student, according to an investigation report submitted by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD).

The probe revealed that the tipper lorry was travelling at a speed of 56 km/h while navigating a steep slope at the Kadaikodu road junction where the mishap occurred. Furthermore, call records indicated that the driver, identified as A. Nizam, was actively talking on his mobile phone for 55 seconds leading up to the crash. Although the vehicle was supposed to proceed toward Ezhukone Road, the driver lost control, causing the lorry to veer toward Kottarakkara Road, crash into a shop veranda, and overturn. Investigators also discovered that Nizam did not possess a heavy vehicle driving license.

The accident took place on the morning of June 23 at around 7:17 AM. Following the incident, the Kottarakkara police registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Nizam, a resident of Mukundapuram. The owner of the tipper lorry has also been booked in connection with the case. The comprehensive probe report was submitted to the Transport Commissioner by Kollam Enforcement RTO A. K. Dilu.

The MVD report also highlighted severe lapses in the vehicle's fitness certification. Three months prior to the accident, the Karunagappally Joint Regional Transport Office (RTO) had issued a fitness certificate for the tipper lorry without ensuring that its GPS device was properly tagged and integrated with the MVD portal. Due to this technical omission, the department was unable to track the vehicle's speed in real-time, and investigators had to source the speed data directly from the GPS manufacturing company after the crash. Following a preliminary inquiry into the oversight, a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) and an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (AMVI) of the Karunagappally Joint RTO have been placed under suspension.