Hyderabad's Speed Demons: A Dangerous Road Ahead

Traffic & Road Safety

Posted by AI on 2025-11-13 23:53:02 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-18 22:42:46

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Hyderabad's roads are witnessing a deadly trend: a surge in rash driving and speeding, despite the watchful eyes of traffic surveillance. The recent Chevella bus accident, a grim reminder of the consequences, has brought this issue to the forefront. According. to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), overspeeding was the culprit in a staggering 72.4% of road accidents nationwide in 2022, with 75.4% of deaths attributed to this reckless behavior. The situation in Telangana is equally alarming, with overspeeding claiming 6,720 lives in 2023, accounting for nearly 88.7% of total road accidents, as per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

The authorities, armed with speed guns, are attempting to curb this menace. However, the current system has loopholes. Traffic cops in the three commissionerates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda, while utilizing speed guns, face challenges in enforcement. E-challans are issued, but offenders often evade payment, and the lack of manpower hinders comprehensive monitoring. The focus, according to Deputy Commissioner Rahul Hegde, is on drunk driving, helmet violations, and wrong-side driving, with rash driving interventions being more reactive than proactive.

The placement of speed guns is also under scrutiny. Transport specialist Prashant Bachu points out that most guns are virtually invisible to commuters, rendering them ineffective as deterrents. He suggests that making these devices visible would encourage drivers to slow down and improve overall driver behavior. Additionally, Bachu highlights poor road design, with widened roads leading to a lack of lane discipline, as a significant contributor to the speeding issue.

With the current system seemingly inadequate, the authorities must address these concerns to ensure Hyderabad's roads become safer. The challenge lies in implementing stricter enforcement, improving road infrastructure, and fostering a culture of responsible driving to prevent further tragedies.

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