KOLKATA: An analysis of accidents after lockdown by the various Kolkata traffic police guards and the squad that investigates fatal accidents has revealed that most pedestrians and two-wheeler riders are clueless about the blind spots for truck and bus drivers.
The police now plan to write to the transport department elaborating on the need to educate two-wheel riders, including cyclists, about this aspect to avoid accidents. “Under normal circumstances, we hold regular awareness programmes where we teach two-wheel riders through practical classes where we let them take the seat of a truck driver. But in the present Covid situation that is not possible. Yet bikes have multiplied during the pandemic at an exponential rate, mostly because people wanted to avoid public transport to maintain social distancing, an officer from the fatal accident investigation squad said. “The same goes for bicycles. Experienced cyclists know how to manoeuvre in the city. But those choosing geared cycles lack basic discipline,” he added.
The cops cited two recent accidents to drive home the point: the Moulali, CIT Road, accident that killed two youths on a bike on Wednesday and the one on Basanti Highway earlier this month involving a cycle, motorcycle and a truck. Both the accidents occurred as they swerved or tried to overtake dangerously. A woman pedestrian killed in a bus accident on Wednesday, too, just raised her hands hoping in vain that the driver would notice her.
Blind spots are locations around a moving vehicle that are not reflected in its mirrors. “If a driver cannot see a vehicle next to him, he is more likely to crash into it when switching lanes. Especially for drivers of heavy vehicles, like buses and trucks, it gets impossible when a biker tries to overtake very close to them.,” said a senior FSTP officer.
“In certain north Kolkata pockets, cyclists refuse to stick to the extreme left lane.We are also asking cyclists not to latch on to heavier vehicles to travel faster,” said an officer. “Our aim is to bring down accidents by implementing all necessary measures,” joint CP (traffic) Santosh Pandey said.
The police now plan to write to the transport department elaborating on the need to educate two-wheel riders, including cyclists, about this aspect to avoid accidents. “Under normal circumstances, we hold regular awareness programmes where we teach two-wheel riders through practical classes where we let them take the seat of a truck driver. But in the present Covid situation that is not possible. Yet bikes have multiplied during the pandemic at an exponential rate, mostly because people wanted to avoid public transport to maintain social distancing, an officer from the fatal accident investigation squad said. “The same goes for bicycles. Experienced cyclists know how to manoeuvre in the city. But those choosing geared cycles lack basic discipline,” he added.
Times View
An overwhelming majority of cyclists have hurt their own cause by behaving so irresponsibly on the road. They have been a menace, primarily to themselves. More disciplined cycling, including adherence to signals, is a must if cycles are to come back to the major thoroughfares permanently.
The cops cited two recent accidents to drive home the point: the Moulali, CIT Road, accident that killed two youths on a bike on Wednesday and the one on Basanti Highway earlier this month involving a cycle, motorcycle and a truck. Both the accidents occurred as they swerved or tried to overtake dangerously. A woman pedestrian killed in a bus accident on Wednesday, too, just raised her hands hoping in vain that the driver would notice her.
Blind spots are locations around a moving vehicle that are not reflected in its mirrors. “If a driver cannot see a vehicle next to him, he is more likely to crash into it when switching lanes. Especially for drivers of heavy vehicles, like buses and trucks, it gets impossible when a biker tries to overtake very close to them.,” said a senior FSTP officer.
“In certain north Kolkata pockets, cyclists refuse to stick to the extreme left lane.We are also asking cyclists not to latch on to heavier vehicles to travel faster,” said an officer. “Our aim is to bring down accidents by implementing all necessary measures,” joint CP (traffic) Santosh Pandey said.
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