Biker killed after truck hits him on Eastern Express Highway in Mumbai; driver flees

The police have the registration number of the truck

In yet another hit-and-run on the Eastern Express Highway, a 29-year-old biker died after he was knocked down by a truck on Wednesday.

As many as 467 people were killed in 438 road accidents across the city in 2016. (FOR REPRESENTATION)

The Pant Nagar police identified the biker as Jamil Shaikh.

The incident occurred near Kamraj Nagar bus stop on the north-bound stretch of the highway at midnight.

“The truck hit Shaikh from behind. He sustained grievous injuries,” said a police officer.

Shaikh was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. Although the unidentified driver escaped from the spot, the police have the registration number of the truck.

A case has been registered against the driver under sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC.

The police said motorists lose control when they suddenly spot a vehicle in front of them or a two-wheeler comes too close.

As many as 467 people were killed in 438 road accidents across the city in 2016. In the same year, 24,639 accidents took place in Mumbai, most of which were caused by speeding and rash driving. Police said efforts are on to reduce road accidents by installing blinkers and painting the road with white-and-yellow stripes for better visibility at sharp turns.

Speeding, lane-cutting and rash-driving main reasons for mishaps

Speeding, lane-cutting and rash-driving are among the major reasons contributing to fatalities on the 22.3-km Eastern Express Highway, according to the traffic police.

The highway connects central Mumbai to the eastern suburbs and neighbouring Thane.

Most dangerous spots on the highway are Godrej Signal at Vikhroli, Chedda Nagar junction, Shramjivi Nagar opposite Postal colony, Kurla, Everard Nagar, Airoli Creek bridge and Kanjurmarg dumping ground.

“The basic safety rules are not followed. Wearing seatbelts, helmets and not speeding can prevent many accidents,” said Akhilesh Singh, deputy commissioner of police, zone 7, from where the EEH passes.

Other causes of accidents are drivers dozing off at the wheel, jumping signals, animals on the road, deflated tyres, potholes, amongst others.

“At times,vehicles fall off flyovers owing to over-speeding,” said Shekhar Tawade, assistant commissioner of police, Vikhroli division, which covers 9.5 km of the highway.

The officer said catching errant motorists is a risky affair as many tend to speed up to evade arrest or penalty.

On the north-bound stretch, motorists tend to speed up after Chedda Nagar as the stretch up to Mulund check naka is free from traffic during non-peak hours. At Godrej signal, speeding motorists jump the signal, which can result in collision with the oncoming vehicle.

Several connectors on the highway help reduce traffic at many locations, paving the way for over-speeding, said another officer.