The tragic death of a rickshaw driver after his vehicle reportedly crashed into a parked tempo on the Verna bypass road in the early hours of Tuesday is yet another grim reminder of the dangers posed by vehicles left on highways without adequate safety precautions. According to the police, the tempo driver had allegedly failed to take basic measures to warn approaching motorists. No reflective warning triangle was placed behind the vehicle, nor were indicator or hazard lights used to alert traffic. In the darkness and poor visibility, the approaching rickshaw apparently had little or no warning before colliding with the stationary tempo. Such incidents cannot simply be dismissed as unfortunate accidents. Parking a vehicle on a busy highway, particularly at night or near a bend, can create a deadly obstacle for other road users. Vehicles on highways travel at considerable speed, leaving drivers very little time to react when a stationary vehicle suddenly appears in their path. There must be zero tolerance for unauthorised and hazardous parking on highways.
Vehicles found obstructing traffic or parked in dangerous locations should be immediately removed and towed by the concerned authorities. At the same time, motorists whose vehicles break down must also act responsibly. A disabled vehicle should be moved onto the road shoulder wherever possible. The authorities should be informed immediately so that the vehicle can be removed as quickly as possible. Extra caution is essential at curves, junctions and poorly lit stretches, where a stationary vehicle can be particularly difficult to spot.
Highways cannot be treated as convenient parking spaces. Every illegally or dangerously parked vehicle is a potential accident waiting to happen. Authorities need to intensify highway patrols, act promptly against dangerous parking and ensure that broken-down vehicles are removed without delay. These are avoidable accidents, and necessary preventive action is required. Strict enforcement, responsible driving and swift removal of hazardous vehicles can save lives. Zero tolerance for dangerous highway parking is the need of the hour.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
