Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, May 30: With the onset of the monsoon in the coastal region, the number of road accidents has seen a sharp increase.
In the last four to five days, more than ten accidents have been reported in various parts of Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries.
Accidents tend to rise during the rainy season. Poor road conditions riddled with potholes are one contributing factor. Other reasons include vehicles skidding due to rainwater, poor visibility during rainfall, and drivers or riders losing control. Safe driving during the monsoon is crucial for the safety of commuters, drivers, and pedestrians alike.
Compared to other roads, highways see a higher number of accidents during the rainy season. One of the main reasons is the higher speed of vehicles. Heavy vehicles like tankers, trailers, trucks, and buses continue to move at regular speeds even during heavy rains. When sudden braking is required, the risk of accidents increases significantly.
Driving during rains poses a challenge even to experienced drivers. On wet roads, maintaining control over the vehicle and being alert becomes more difficult. Caution is always advisable, especially for two-wheeler riders who must be extra vigilant. Strong winds can also lead to loss of balance for two-wheeler riders.
Several factors contribute to road accidents during the monsoon. Heavy rainfall drastically reduces visibility, making it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead. At night, the situation worsens as visibility drops further. Rainwater on roads diminishes the brightness and effectiveness of headlights, while the mixing of water with oil and other substances on the road surface leads to skidding.
Even when brakes are applied, vehicles may still slide, increasing the chances of collision. Moreover, faulty functioning of crucial components such as brakes, headlights, clutches, wipers, and indicators adds to the risk. The loud sound of rain can also drown out the noise of nearby vehicle horns, reducing the driver's awareness of their surroundings.
Several accidents have been reported over the past few days due to the adverse weather conditions.
On May 27, at BC Road on National Highway 75, a car crashed into an electric pole, resulting in the driver’s death. On May 28, a car veered off the road and fell into a stormwater drain at Kodikal Cross on NH 66 in Mangaluru, killing the driver. On the same day, at Mura Junction on the Puttur outskirts of the Mangaluru–Mysuru NH, a private bus collided with a car, seriously injuring three people, including a child.
On May 26, a private express bus travelling from Udupi to Mangaluru overturned near Uluyargoli in Kaup while attempting to overtake another bus; passengers escaped with minor injuries.
On the night of May 25, a goods tempo rammed into an auto rickshaw stand at Haleyangadi Junction on NH 66, though the occupants were unharmed. That same night, a tempo transporting cattle fodder overturned at Nidigal in Kalmanja village near Beltangady on NH 75, and two individuals escaped without injury.
On May 28, a collision between a car and a mini tempo at Kudmar near Kaniyoor resulted in the tempo overturning; fortunately, no casualties were reported.