Overloaded vehicles in Ludhiana pose threat to lives of people

Overloaded vehicles, including trolleys, mini trucks, tempos and even carts running without any check on the city roads are not just a nuisance for the commuters, but also pose a serious threat to the lives of people. Road safety experts claimed that mass casualties could occur if the department concerned did not take strict action.

Road safety expert Kamaljeet Singh Soi said, “According to recent National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data, road accidents have increased to 10% due to overloaded vehicles. Police department should organise special drives to curb the violations which are being done in the city without any fear. Many of the times large numbers of people were loaded in one lorry which may cause mass causalities, department should take strict action.”

A truck carried approximately 50-60 persons spotted on Gill Road which is a risky task. Police department should take strict action against these violators so that no incident would take place in future.

Such overloaded vehicles are the reason behind increasing number of accidents and traffic snarls in the city.

City residents said the overloaded vehicles carrying tent house material; DJ systems, vegetables, waiters and fruits could be seen plying on the city roads at any time of the day.

Labourers could also be seen hanging along with the material stuffed in the vehicles which could prove dangerous for them. People have been violating the norms regularly as the department concerned did not pay attention towards the problem, said residents.

Many of the times, overloaded trucks with wheat bags and other lorries turned down on road which created traffic snarls for long hours and met with an accident.

Harpreet Singh, resident of Dugri said, “Commuters face multiple problems due to overloaded vehicles plying on roads. Traffic snarls take place often. Officials should take steps to curb the menace. Police should issue challans to the violators.”

Sukhpal Singh, ADCP (traffic) said, “We are issuing challans to the violators and also planning to organise special drives to issue challans to the overloaded vehicles causing traffic problems and becoming the reason for accidents.”

First Published: Feb 29, 2016 21:49 IST