Fatal ‘road’ attraction

The tipper lorry menace is the new fatal attraction in the city and it goes unabated and unchecked.

Most of these vehicles have unlicensed drivers, who relish driving at break- neck speed. And the vehicles are devoid of tail lights and dippers during nights.

Wednesday’s incident near Wipro junction in Gachibowli where a granite-laden tipper lorry rammed and damaged 15 vehicles is not an isolated case.

Although, mercifully, there were no casualties this time, the fact is that though over 10 fatal accidents involving tippers have been reported in the in Cyberabad limits this year, the police claim that these crashes were relatively less compared to accidents involving other vehicles.

There are also complaints from the general public that the police do not initiate any measures against such vehicles even when they do not have proper lights or when they emanate high levels of smoke.

There are also allegations that the police on patrol duty are overly concerned about cases related to drunken driving checks while giving a free run to tippers who are not even subject to random alcohol checks.

According to available statistics more than 10 fatal incidents involving tipper lorries were reported within Cyberabad jurisdiction during the year.

Amongst the most recent accidents, 55-year-old T Prasad died near Jawahar Nagar X Roads after he was hit by a tipper lorry on December 9. An 18-year old girl, Sana Begum, who was pillion riding on a bike near Narsingi died on September 10 after a collision with a tipper lorry.

Similar incidents have been reported at various places like Jeedimetla, Ramakrishnapuram flyover, Raidurgam, Jalpally and Injapur cross roads.

It is being alleged that the policemen allow tipper operations during the daytime, putting to risk the lives of hundreds of people.

However, DCP (traffic) Cyberabad, Avinash Mohanty begged to differ and claimed that they were not lenient towards the errant and reckless lorry drivers. He said that the accidents happen due to human error and because of let-ups by the police personnel.

He said, “This is a very low percentage. When there are 900 accidental deaths in a year, it is comparatively less.”