Hyderabad: State-run RTC buses continue to claim the lives of citizens. Despite training on accident-free driving and regular refreshment courses, negligence and overspeeding by drivers are causing accidents, the police said. RTC officials said that a majority of the accidents involving RTC buses occur due to pedestrians or other vehicles. The number of accidents has come down. The police suggested less interaction with passengers and ban on the use of mobile phones while on wheel to curb bus accidents.
In the recent accident in Yadadri district on the Hyderabad-Warangal High-way, a Vajra bus rammed into an auto rickshaw, killing five auto passengers. The bus driver was talking to a passenger and did not notice the auto in the front. Mr N. Divyacharan Rao, additional DCP, traffic, Rachakonda, said that unlike in the past, accidents due to overspeeding and drunk driving by RTC bus drivers have come down.
“But still they seem to be negligent and are less focussed. The RTC should ensure that the drivers are trained and not get distracted by passengers or mobile phones.” ” he said. RTC officials claimed that the direct involvement of drivers in accident is less than 15 per cent. Most accidents happen due to pedestrians and other vehicles like bikes and auto rickshaws which are driven negligently.
Woman dies in RTC mishap at Meerpet
A 40-year-old woman was killed in an accident involving an RTC bus on Thursday in Meerpet. Ramavath Sharada was crossing the road when the overspeeding bus hit her, killing her on the spot. According to the police, Sharada was a resident of Dasarin-arayana Colony in Jillelaguda of Bal-apur and was working as a labourer. On Thursday morning, she left home for work. While she was crossing road at Balapur X road, the bus belonging to Midhani depot hit her from behind.
The police said that the bus driver, V. Motilal, was negligent while taking a U-turn and did not notice the victim who was crossing the road. “She suffered severe injuries and died on the spot. An accidental death case has been registered against the driver,” said Mr N. Ch. Ranga-swamy, inspector, Meerpet. The body was handed over to her family after a post-mortem and the bus driver has been apprehended.
