Driving training to happen for lorry drivers to prevent deaths on roads

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the absence of measures to control various types of lorries plying on the roads, taking lives and causing injuries, the transport department is planning to give them driving training. Special consideration is being given to tipper drivers. While a Taurus lorry took the life of a man who went for a walk yesterday morning in Kochi, a timber lorry played with the life of a housewife in Karunagappalli. It is in this situation that the government has taken action.

It has been decided to prepare a list of tipper and lorry drivers registered under each RT office and train them. A panel of trainers consisting of experts from Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering and KSRTC Training Center and the scheme will soon be formed, Transport Department officials said.

The criticism that this will not end the problem is strong. Life and safety of the public can only be ensured if it is realized that it is not possible to go on the road with an overload and excessive speed is not allowed.

It is the responsibility of the Geology Department to ensure that rocks loaded in tippers from quarries are not more than the legal weight allowed. Motor vehicle department complains that they do not do that. It is alleged that the Geology Department is also conniving in evading royalty by loading excessive loads. The Department of Motor Vehicles will soon issue a letter to the Department of Geology asking them to depute officers with weighing equipment in the quarries.

Problem and solution

The rule is to stop overloaded vehicles, unload them and release only the vehicle. However, they will be allowed to leave with the same load after paying a fine on the pretext that they cannot unload it and keep it on the roadside. They can only be controlled if the law is changed to impound the vehicle.

No cancellation of license

From loading the load in the vehicle to the delivery of the load to the destination, the responsibility rests with the driver. The driver must ensure that the load is safe and does not exceed the permissible limit. The statute calls for the license suspension of repeat violators but this has never been done.

Bribery and target

The police and MVD, who set a target for vehicle inspection every month, laugh with their eyes closed as each load passes. Some loads will be fined. The share to the government and themselves will be met. The duty of protecting people's life and property will be forgotten. This is an open secret. If the load exceeds the specified limit, the minimum fine is 10,000 rupees. 1500 rupees should be charged for every additional ton.

"We can't wait for more accidents to happen. Strict action will be taken.”

- KB Ganesh Kumar, Transport Minister