In a month, 11 bikers die on city roads, claim two pedestrians
Times of India | 6 November 2024
123 Kolkata: A 25-year-old biker lost his life — the eleventh since Oct — after he rammed his two-wheeler into a median divider. Victim Vishal Thakur's pillion rider, Manoj Behera (22), was also injured, though he is stated to be out of danger. The incident was reported around 3.40 am from Chittaranjan Colony near Baghajatin.
The multiple fatal accidents in the city, where around 45 bikers ended up injured (22 of them during Durga Puja), have led the traffic department to analyse these deaths, revealing startling facts. The most significant finding is the death of pedestrians in two instances after being hit by bikes.
Traffic department veterans claimed they have not previously encountered pedestrians dying after being hit by two-wheelers, with the most prominent case being reported from S N Banerjee Road a day before Diwali. "The death occurred either from trauma or from hitting the kerb of the footpath. However, it has been established that the accused biker was speeding," said an investigating officer.
"There are also other trends that have emerged during the analysis. In several of these accidents, the two-wheeler riders did not wear helmets. Most accidents have been reported from less significant thoroughfares like Dum Dum 30A bus stand, Chittaranjan Colony, Bandipur Road in Bansdroni, Dakshindari Road near Ultadanga, or Tangra 3rd Lane. Hence, setting up nakas on main roads, carrying out a maximum number of prosecutions and checking for drink-driving have remained effective only on the main thoroughfares. Also importantly, most of these accidents took place during the usual traffic hours. Most of the victims are young riders," said a senior officer.
Cops said accidents involving two speeding bikes have also resulted in deaths during this period. During Durga Puja, two bikers racing against each other led to a severe accident on the night of Saptami in Kasba. According to police, the bikes were heading from Ruby towards Salt Lake. As they were riding recklessly, a collision happened when they lost control. After the accident, both riders of the first bike were thrown onto the road. They were taken to a nearby private hospital on Bypass in a critical condition, where doctors declared them dead.
On the main road stretches, the areas reporting a higher number of bike accidents happen to be EM Bypass and Basanti Highway, with the addition of Bhangar pushing the total number of accidents considerably. "We launched extensive drives against two-wheelers in these areas," pointed out an officer at Lalbazar.
"We need to discipline young riders. We are planning more on-ground classes to explain the road conditions to rookie riders," added an officer.