Sir, The track record of accidents in India is replete with violation of traffic norms and most accidents happen due to speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and overtaking resulting in head-on collisions. Karnataka is ranked third at All India-level for most road accidents. The recent private bus accident claiming 30 lives is reported to be due to overspeeding. It is not surprising for the statistics show that in India nearly 80 per cent of drivers have poor driving skills which tantamount to inferring that drivers are virtually given license to kill (Mandya buses involved in accidents had poor track record SOM dated 25.11.2018). It is also reported that this bus has changed hands several times and most appallingly the fact that despite cancellation of Fitness Certificate (FC) in 2016, if it is running for the past three years after managing to obtain FC tells its own now too familiar story of complicity of officials and the bus owner. Apart from 1974 accident in which 15 people died, there have been deaths of 69 people in Mandya since 2008 in three major accidents, excluding 30 who died in the present accident. It is a sad reflection of the failure of the authorities concerned in the State that despite Supreme Court issuing several instructions over the years there does not appear to be matching action and serious commitment to set up a system to stem accidents from happening. It not only results in trauma to the relatives and friends of the accident victims but also a national economic loss.
- H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana, Saraswathipuram, 27.11.2018
