Beltangady: Rain-slicked roads in Charmadi town have raised serious safety concerns after two separate vehicular accidents occurred on consecutive days, leaving passengers with minor injuries. Residents have urged highway authorities to take immediate measures to improve road safety, alleging that faded anti-skid markings and slippery road surfaces are putting motorists at risk.
The accidents occurred amid continuous rainfall over the past two to three days, which made it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles along the highway stretch. Charmadi town experiences considerable traffic movement, including heavy commercial vehicles, increasing the risk of serious collisions when road conditions deteriorate.
KSRTC bus collides with car and tempo
In the first incident, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus travelling towards Ujire collided with a car in Charmadi town on Sunday evening before crashing into a tempo.
The occupants of the car sustained minor injuries in the collision, while the tempo was damaged. The incident also disrupted traffic movement along the busy road, resulting in a traffic jam that lasted approximately an hour.
Commuters and other motorists faced considerable inconvenience as vehicles struggled to move through the affected stretch. The collision once again highlighted concerns over the safety of motorists travelling through Charmadi town during rainy weather.
Although the occupants of the car escaped with minor injuries, the sequence of collisions involving three vehicles raised concerns about the potential consequences of losing control on the slippery highway.
Goods tempo overturns on roadside
A second accident occurred on Monday evening when a goods tempo reportedly lost control and overturned along the roadside in Charmadi town.
The occupants of the vehicle escaped with minor injuries. The incident came just a day after the collision involving the KSRTC bus, car and tempo, intensifying concerns among local residents about recurring accidents along the stretch.
The two incidents have drawn attention to the challenges faced by motorists navigating the highway during periods of continuous rainfall.
Residents said that the road becomes particularly slippery whenever it rains in Charmadi town. The recent downpours have further worsened conditions, making it difficult for drivers to maintain traction and control.
Worn-out anti-skid markings blamed
Local residents have alleged that the condition of the road surface and the deterioration of safety markings are contributing to the danger.
According to residents, the National Highways department had previously painted transverse anti-skid markings on the asphalt to help prevent vehicles from skidding. However, they claim that these markings have now worn off completely in the affected stretch.
The markings were intended to improve vehicle grip and reduce the risk of skidding, particularly during rainfall. With the markings no longer visible, motorists are concerned that vehicles may lose traction when travelling over the wet surface.
The problem is especially significant on a highway that carries substantial traffic, including large commercial vehicles. When the road is slippery, even a minor loss of control can lead to collisions, overturned vehicles and traffic disruptions.
Residents have called for a detailed inspection of the road to identify hazardous stretches and determine what measures are needed to improve safety during the monsoon and other periods of heavy rainfall.
Residents demand urgent highway safety measures
Following the accidents, residents have urged the National Highways Authority and the concerned highway department to take preventive action rather than waiting for further incidents.
Their demands include:
- Inspecting accident-prone locations along the Charmadi town stretch.
- Repainting faded road markings and restoring anti-skid markings where required.
- Introducing appropriate safety measures to reduce skidding during rainfall.
- Installing essential precautionary safeguards at high-risk locations.
- Assessing the condition of the road surface and addressing sections that become dangerously slippery when wet.
Residents believe that timely intervention could reduce the likelihood of similar accidents and improve safety for commuters, local residents and commercial vehicle operators.
They have also stressed the need for regular maintenance of road markings and safety features, particularly along stretches where rainfall frequently affects driving conditions.
Heavy traffic increases risk on slippery roads
Charmadi town is an important passage for motorists travelling through the region, and the highway carries a mix of passenger vehicles, buses, goods tempos and heavy commercial vehicles.
Continuous rainfall over the past two to three days has reportedly made the surface particularly slippery. Under such conditions, drivers may find it difficult to brake safely or maintain control while negotiating the road.
The combination of wet asphalt, worn-out markings and heavy traffic has heightened concerns about the possibility of more serious accidents if the situation remains unaddressed.
The traffic disruption following the KSRTC bus collision also demonstrated how a single accident can affect movement along the highway, inconveniencing a large number of commuters.
Call for preventive action
The two accidents have renewed demands for a comprehensive road safety assessment in Charmadi town. Although the occupants involved in both incidents sustained only minor injuries, residents fear that continued neglect of hazardous road conditions could result in more serious consequences.
They have called on the highway authorities to inspect the stretch, restore faded markings and introduce suitable safeguards to improve vehicle stability during rainfall.
Residents say proactive maintenance and timely safety improvements are essential to prevent recurring accidents and ensure safer travel through Charmadi town, particularly during periods of continuous rain.