No end to reckless driving in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 1: There is no end to reckless driving in the summer capital as a speeding Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) hit a footpath on Boulevard Road, injuring several persons.

Officials said that on the intervening night of September 30 and October 1, an overspeeding Fortuner vehicle veered off the road and smashed a walkway near Nehru Park.

Police officials stated that six people were on board at the time of the accident. “At least five persons sustained injuries in the incident. Fortunately, the injuries were minor and no lives were lost,” a police officer told Greater Kashmir. He said a case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

The fresh incident comes at a time when Srinagar has already witnessed a sharp rise in fatal accidents. In the past few weeks alone, at least four people have died in three separate mishaps across the city, including a 13-year-old girl in Rainawari who was fatally struck by a rashly driven van. The tragedies have once again highlighted how overspeeding remains a significant menace on Srinagar’s roads.

Parents have voiced particular concern over the speeding of school vans as well. “These vans are often packed with children and driven recklessly just to complete more trips. Authorities must step in before another tragedy happens,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a parent from Bemina.

Commuters too expressed alarm over the state of Srinagar’s walkways. They said that infrastructural issues are adding to the road safety concern.

“Most footpaths are either encroached upon or dug up. People are forced to walk on roads and risk their lives amid speeding traffic,” said Rahil Dar, a daily commuter at Lal Chowk.

Residents have urged authorities to act tough against habitual violators. “Every other day, we hear of crashes. Traffic police should impose stricter fines and suspend the licenses of reckless drivers. Without visible deterrence, the situation will only worsen,” said Abdul Hamid, a pedestrian.