Pune Roads Claim Lives: Reckless Driving Patterns Lead to Increase in Fatalities

Pune, 13th January 2024: The consequences of reckless driving have been starkly illustrated in two recent accidents, both captured on CCTV cameras within the past two days, resulting in one man losing his legs and another losing his life.

In the first incident, a motorcyclist lost his legs after colliding with a truck in Yerawada. Disregarding a red signal, the rider collided with the truck, resulting in severe injuries. The second accident claimed the life of a 21-year-old Hadapsar resident, who, while riding a scooter in the wrong direction on Shivaji Road near Rameshwar Chowk, fell on the road in an attempt to avoid a collision with another scooterist. Tragically, he was subsequently run over by a dumper truck.

City police highlight indisciplined driving as a major factor contributing to numerous accidents, some of them fatal. Police records reveal a slight increase in accident fatalities in 2023 compared to the previous year, with 334 casualties in 317 accidents. In 2022, there were 315 accidents resulting in 325 deaths.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vijay Magar emphasized the need for stricter adherence to traffic rules, particularly among two-wheeler riders. He cited instances where riders attempted risky maneuvers, such as overtaking heavy vehicles on left turns, putting themselves at significant risk of accidents.

Magar identified overspeeding as another major cause of accidents, particularly along the stretch between the new Katraj tunnel and Vadgaon bridge on Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass. He pointed out that heavy vehicles moving towards Vadgaon Bridge from the new Katraj tunnel at high speeds often lead to accidents, exacerbated by the continuous slope on Bhumkar bridge.

Highlighting an unfortunate incident on December 2, 2023, Magar recounted a motorcycle rider’s altercation with a truck driver on Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass. The ensuing chase resulted in the truck driver hitting two other trucks, claiming four lives, including the truck driver.

Magar also acknowledged infrastructure issues on city roads, particularly on Katraj-Phursungi road, the old Pune-Mumbai highway, and Ahmednagar Road. The police have proposed solutions to the Pune Municipal Corporation to address these concerns, and some issues have been addressed by the civic administration.