Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 1: With the increase in the number of private vehicles, overloading in a single vehicle has reduced compared to earlier times. Some city buses experience crowded conditions during peak hours, but at other times, they have just enough passengers. However, in Mangaluru and a few other areas, there is a growing trend of transporting people in goods carriers, including tempos. This can be dangerous.

Workers from North Karnataka, North India, and various other regions come to Mangaluru. To transport them to different worksites, highly risky methods are often employed. Women and children are frequently seen crammed into tempos and overloaded goods vehicles.

There is a severe lack of concern among drivers regarding this issue. Additionally, the passengers themselves travel this way out of necessity for their livelihood. The police must take action to ensure that those transporting workers arrange for safer vehicles.

Rise in self-accidents

Recently, cases of self-accidents have been increasing. Speeding and negligent driving have led to more collisions with dividers, electric poles, trees, and barricades. Within the Commissionerate limits, 3-4 such accidents occur daily. Police report that 90% of the deceased or injured in these accidents are two-wheeler riders, pillion riders, or pedestrians.

In the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate limits last year (2024), 175 people died in 170 accidents. In 853 cases, 1,170 people were injured. Among the deceased, 72 were two-wheeler riders or pillion riders, while a total of 339 two-wheeler riders/pillion riders were injured. Additionally, 65 pedestrians died, and 237 pedestrians were injured.