Mangaluru: Unchecked speeding by heavy vehicles, including lorries, tankers and container trucks, on national highways passing through Mangaluru city limits during night hours has raised serious safety concerns among motorists, pedestrians and local residents.
Despite sharp curves, steep gradients and uneven road layouts along several stretches, heavy vehicles continue to travel at high speeds, increasing the risk of accidents. Recent incidents involving two overturned trucks within three days have intensified demands for stricter monitoring and regular night-time inspections.
As a major centre for port, industrial and commercial activities, Mangaluru witnesses considerable movement of goods vehicles throughout the night. Lorries transporting cargo to the port, industrial areas and other commercial centres depend on the city’s national highways, resulting in continuous heavy vehicle traffic even during late hours.
Sharp curves and steep gradients increase accident risks
Several highway stretches within Mangaluru city limits have sharp curves, while others feature steep uphill and downhill sections. Some stretches also lack service roads, making it difficult for smaller vehicles to navigate safely alongside heavy transport vehicles.
Heavy vehicles need to maintain controlled speeds while negotiating such sections. However, with relatively fewer vehicles on the roads at night, some drivers reportedly take advantage of the open stretches and drive at excessive speeds without adequate caution.
Drivers unfamiliar with the road conditions may also find it difficult to control their vehicles while negotiating sharp turns and steep gradients. This increases the possibility of losing control and overturning, particularly when vehicles are travelling at high speeds.
Speeding buses create additional concerns
Private buses and other passenger vehicles connecting Mangaluru with neighbouring districts also operate in considerable numbers during night hours.
The speed of some buses has become another concern among road users. Instances of buses competing with one another to overtake have reportedly been observed, creating dangerous situations for other motorists.
Two-wheeler riders and drivers of smaller vehicles are particularly vulnerable when buses make sudden overtaking manoeuvres or travel at excessive speeds.
Members of the public have called for closer monitoring of bus speeds and strict action against drivers who put other road users at risk.
Overloaded goods vehicles pose safety risks
The Motor Vehicles Act lays down regulations governing vehicle dimensions, permissible weight, transportation of goods and mandatory safety requirements for heavy vehicles.
However, transporting goods beyond permitted weight limits and careless driving can increase the risk of accidents. Overloading can affect a vehicle’s stability, braking performance and ability to negotiate turns safely.
Regular inspections of goods vehicles are therefore necessary to ensure compliance with transport regulations. Authorities have been urged to check cargo weight, vehicle condition, drivers’ documents and mandatory safety equipment.
Public questions absence of regular night inspections
The public has also questioned the frequency of inspections conducted by traffic police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials during night hours.
Although heavy vehicles operate throughout the night, residents allege that inspections are carried out only occasionally. They have sought more frequent checks to identify vehicles violating speed limits and transport regulations.
The demands include checking drivers’ licences and documents, verifying vehicle fitness certificates, inspecting cargo weight and ensuring that mandatory safety measures are followed.
Regular night-time enforcement, particularly along accident-prone stretches, could help identify violations before they result in serious accidents.
Two trucks overturn within three days
Recent incidents have brought the issue of heavy vehicle safety into focus.
Near Kannur, a truck transporting gas cylinders reportedly lost control while travelling at high speed, climbed onto a road divider and overturned.
In another incident near Padil, a truck carrying sugar lost control and overturned by the roadside.
The two incidents occurred within three days, raising concerns about the safety of heavy vehicles operating on highways during night hours.
Although the circumstances of the two accidents may differ, they have strengthened public demands for better monitoring of heavy vehicle movement and stricter enforcement of traffic rules.
Violators will be fined, says Police Commissioner
Responding to the concerns, Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said highway patrol personnel regularly monitor national highways and keep an eye on all vehicles, including lorries and trucks.
He added that action was being taken against motorists who violated traffic regulations. The Commissioner also stressed that accidents could be prevented if drivers exercised greater caution while driving at night and followed traffic rules.
The growing concerns underline the need for continued enforcement, responsible driving and regular vehicle inspections. With Mangaluru serving as an important port and commercial centre, ensuring the safe movement of goods vehicles is essential to protect other road users.