Buses plying in Kerala can perplex even FormulaOne racers. Theoretically, an even better calculation and presence of mind are required to pull up a feat bus drivers in Kerala perform every day. They vroom past so close, almost kissing each other on the sides. This daredevilry on the roads of god’s own country is no less than an amusement park ride.
These buses have changed from threatening red to lush green in color. However, the spirit within them remains the same. They are as impatient as they ever were. You get pulled inside and dropped at destinations in seconds. Whether you lament about it, crack a joke on it, or feel how incredible Kerala is, you get accustomed to this as a bus commuter. But jokes apart, lives are at stake because of this reckless adventurism.
Data between Jan-Aug 22 shows 29,369 road accidents in Kerala, with 2895 fatalities. Among these, 16,657 were due to Rash and Negligent driving. In a total of 1.5 crore vehicles plying in Kerala, 30 lakh people were fined for violations, which means 1 in 5 were violating traffic rules.
2021 data indicates KSTRC buses were involved in 329 accidents causing 62 deaths; Minibusses in 93 accidents resulting in 23 deaths; and Private buses have topped with 919 accidents and 115 deaths. They are purely human-made and avoidable. Most are due to ‘Over speeding,’ and ‘Rash and Negligent driving.’
Now, this issue won’t be over with one government order. It needs a prolonged concerted campaign on the ground. The administration must sensitize drivers through various mediums continually. However, penalize violations with hefty fines, literally hard to pay, and suspend the license of violators temporarily to discourage them from repeating it.
Menacing buses are not new to Kerala. But how long can we continue to be indifferent and hop on to our next bus sulking “We can’t do anything”?