Three people were killed when a speeding motorcycle crashed into a bicycle in Jharkhand and the danger of reckless driving on Indian roads never dies. The accident happened on a local street and shook up the whole community and has fuelled more calls to tighten traffic laws.
The motorcycle was moving at a high speed when it hit the bicycle with two people on board and all three people suffered severe injuries, sources said. Local residents and emergency workers tried to get the victims taken to the nearest hospital, but doctors declared them dead.
Police officials came to the accident site soon after receiving information about the incident, the police said. The area was temporarily cordoned off for rescue operations and evidence. The damaged motorcycle and bicycle were also removed from the road in order to return traffic flow.
Initial investigations indicate that speed may have been the main cause of the accident. At the same time, officials are reviewing all the possible causes of the accident including road conditions, visibility and anything prior to the collision and whether any traffic rules were broken before the crash.
Statements from the eyewitnesses will be recorded as well as video of the collision are also being reviewed as part of the investigation.
The identities of the deceased were verified and their families were informed of the tragedy. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations as per legal procedures before being handed over to relatives.
Residents of the area expressed grief over the incident, calling it one of the worst accidents witnessed on the stretch of road in recent times. Speeding vehicles are a daily phenomenon in the area and people say speed breakers, warning signs and better street lighting should be installed in the area to prevent such accidents.
Hence, road safety experts have often pointed out that speeding is still one of the leading reasons for road crashes in India. Crashes on high-speed routes drastically shorten the reaction time of the driver and the severity of the injuries caused by collisions. Users of a fast-moving motor like cyclists or pedestrians are most vulnerable and are not protected from them.
The accident has once again put forth the need for drivers to be more aware of driving precautions. They should be aware of speed limits, wear protective helmets, avoid vehicles that are overtaking them and keep an eye out for cyclists and pedestrians.
Police have appealed to the public to follow traffic rules and be cautious on the road and on roads that are shared by vehicles, they said. Drivers, riders, cyclists, and pedestrians have to shoulder a common responsibility to prevent road accidents, they said.
India has a high number of road deaths every year despite awareness campaigns to overcome this problem and tougher traffic laws. But many government agencies have also been working to improve road engineering (e.g., better road engineering, increased enforcement, and public education) and better education to reduce accidents and reduce deaths. However, behavioral change in road users is just as important to the road users as well.
As the investigation of the Jharkhand accident continues officials will try to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the collision. If negligence or rash driving is suspected, it will be taken against those who are believed to be responsible, the law will be followed.
The tragic loss of three lives is another reminder of the terrible consequences of overspeeding. The tragedy has left grieving families and a saddened community hoping that better road safety measures and greater public awareness can help prevent such incidents in the future.
