Accidents caused by transport buses

It is imperative to conduct a special study on the reasons for the increasing number of accidents caused by KSRTC buses. It is noted that the age of the buses, wear and tear on the brakes, failure to service the buses within the stipulated period, and failure to replace parts are contributing to accidents. Those who did not receive proper training to drive large vehicles becoming contract drivers are also contributing to an increase in accidents. Over 600 accidents, both minor and major, have been caused by KSRTC buses in the last one year. Two tragic accidents took place in Thiruvananthapuram alone yesterday during the day.

Gopakumar, a Nemom native and chief photographer of the daily newspaper Chandrika, died after a KSRTC bus overtook and hit his scooter from behind near Karakkamandapam. His wife, who was riding with him on the scooter, was also seriously injured. Technopark employee Sandhya, who was seriously injured after a transport bus hit her behind a scooter in Kazhakkoottam, had to have her leg amputated. Two days ago, a bus lost control in Adoor and hit the back of a police jeep carrying suspects to jail, injuring six people, including policemen. It is worth noting that in all three of these incidents, the bus hit the back of vehicles carrying passengers. Such accidents occur due to negligence or overspeeding. It cannot be denied that a reason for the increase in such accidents is the lack of strict action by the police or transport authorities when such accidents occur due to transport buses.

The fact is that most transport vehicles do not have mirrors that help the driver to see both sides of the road clearly. Motor vehicle officials, who find and punish defects in private vehicles, do not bother to find defects in transport buses under their own department. Anyone can understand at a glance that the tyres of most of the buses plying in the city are worn out and need to be replaced. The Transport Department makes no effort to find and remove regular drivers who repeatedly cause accidents. Meanwhile, contract employees are dismissed even for minor mistakes. The majority of deaths and injuries in urban areas due to transport buses have two-wheeler riders as victims.

The department has formulated a plan to prepare a list of drivers who constantly cause accidents and to provide them with continuous training, but none of it has been implemented. In case of an accident, the transport department authorities often take the approach of blaming the driver for the entire accident and hiding other defects in the bus. Since electric buses are silent, the risk of accidents is high. Understanding this, special training should be given to those who drive electric buses. The Minister of the Department should order an expert committee to investigate the accidents caused by KSRTC buses in the city limits, the times when they occur the most, specific accident spots, etc. and scientifically implement the remedial suggestions.