Kerala: Private buses remain nightmare for people in Kannur; Here's why

Kannur: Private bus accidents continue to claim lives on the roads, with six fatalities reported in Kannur alone over the past two months. Several individuals have suffered serious injuries in bus accidents. These accidents often involve buses travelling at high speeds and seemingly disregarding road rules.

On September 11, a fatal accident occurred when M. Sajeevan, a resident of Edakkom, lost his life in a private bus accident at Taliparamba, Kannur Just two days later, on September 13, another accident involving a private bus that hit two men in  Kannur Kurumathur resulted in the deaths of Shahid and Aril. These incidents highlight the immediate need for increased road safety and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.

Three deaths occurred in October due to accidents involving private buses. In one incident, an autorickshaw overturned after a speeding private bus hit the vehicle in Koothuparamba, Kannur. The autorickshaw caught fire and they were burned to death Eyewitnesses reported that the private bus was traveling at a high speed.

Another similar accident happened to Smitha, who lost her life after a collision with a bus on the Valapatnam bridge. Additionally, a couple lost their lives when a bus rear-ended their scooter. Even when accidents occur, there seem to be legal loopholes that allow individuals to evade accountability. Most cases are registered under IPC 304A, or voluntary manslaughter, which raises concerns about the consequences of reckless driving and negligence.

Speeding, carelessness, racing, and the behavior of some private buses on the roads are contributing to these tragic accidents. Furthermore, the unscientific issuance of permits and traffic congestion are identified as underlying causes of private bus accidents. It is essential to address these issues to improve road safety and prevent further loss of life.