Speeding tippers endanger commuters in Srinagar

Srinagar, July 9: The movement of speeding tippers in evening and night poses a risk of accidents to commuters.

The commuters said that during late evening hours, these tippers ferrying construction materials move at high speed, posing a risk to commuters.

Commuters said these tippers move at a high speed along MA Road, Downtown, Sonawar, Dalgate, and city centre areas of without any check.

‘With the absence of traffic cops at various junctions during late hours, these tippers move at high speed, which is risky for commuters. Various people return from work late at night. Some work in late night shifts, which makes it risky for them. There are patients and essential services moving late at night too and these speeding tippers can result in major accidents. We appeal to authorities to ensure that these tippers don’t take rules for granted and show regard to the safety of people,” Manzoor Ahmad, a commuter, said.

The locals said that in a bid to make more trips overnight and transport more construction material and goods, these tippers run at high speed, posing a threat to people who travel during that time.

Over past few months, many videos of tippers and mini tippers surfaced on social media. In one such video a mini tipper was seen doing stunts on the roads. Later Traffic police took action against the accused driver.

“In other videos, many tipper ferrying materials were seen without number plates. This is very risky as it will make it hard to nab the erring driver and will embolden others if action is not taken. These tippers are ferry construction material in prohibited zones and green belts. We hope that this matter is looked into seriously so that precious lives are not lost,” said Shahid Ahmad, a local from Downtown.

Over the past few years, there have been several cases of accidents by tipper drivers in which drivers, commuters, and pedestrians lost their lives.

Last year, a traffic cop among two was killed in a Srinagar road accident after a speeding truck hit them. Earlier this year, another tipper plunged into Dal Lake when it lost control. The incident led to the death of the driver. As per the data from traffic police, pedestrian deaths in Srinagar constituted over 48 percent of total road accident deaths in 2023. Many pedestrians have fallen prey to accidents by speeding tippers and trucks over the years.

SSP Traffic Police Srinagar Muzaffar Ahamd Shah said that they are checking the speeding of all vehicles, including tippers.

“We will intensify these checks, especially during late hours, so that the safety of everyone is ensured. We will take action against erring drivers including of speeding tippers,” he said.