BENGALURU: On January 13, a six-year-old reality show participant, Samanvi R, was crushed to death by a rashly driven tipper truck near Konanakunte Cross.
This was one of the seven fatal road accidents involving such vehicles in Bengaluru in January so far, claiming at least 15 lives.
The victims include a 20-year-old girl who died near Hebbal on January 21 (her birthday) when a speeding truck ran over her after she fell down from the bike she was riding pillion.
Even earth-moving machines seen all over the city owing to unending construction work are contributing to fatal accidents. On January 1, a three-year-old boy, the only child of two construction labourers, was crushed to death near Majestic. The accident happened when he came out of his makeshift shed looking for his parents.
During Samanvi’s cremation, a family friend had expressed shock over the way in which some trucks and tippers are driven on busy roads. “Trucks and tippers take sudden turns, go rashly between vehicles, and enter wrong directions. And, earth-moving machines are seen parked in threatening ways,” he had said.
Police records show heavy vehicles, including trucks, killed 57 victims in 2019, while the number fell to 31 in 2020, the year that witnessed a series of lockdowns because of the pandemic. In 2021, there were 35 deaths.
When it comes to fatal accidents caused by earth-moving machines, seven persons died in 2019, while the number was five in 2020 and three in 2021. Citing an increase in fatal accidents caused by trucks and tippers, police are now carrying out a special drive against heavy vehicles, especially those that ply during peak hours.
In September 2020, city traffic police had banned the movement of goods trucks, tippers and other heavy vehicles during peak hours — from 7am to 11am and 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
More recently, police have been fining truck drivers for plying in the city during peak hours. The fine amount is Rs 500 for the first offence and Rs 1,000 for subsequent ones. Joint commissioner of police BR Ravikanthe Gowda said the drive will be continued.
“Though we have restricted heavy vehicles during peak hours, some sneak on to the roads. From now on, we will regularly carry out special drives and ensure no heavy vehicles are on the road during peak hours.”
Around 300 trucks and tipper trucks were fined for hitting the road during peak hours last week. Gowda added that traffic inspectors shall be held responsible if a heavy vehicle is involved in a fatal accident in their jurisdictions during peak hours.
