The Indian city of Pune witnessed the worst road tragedy in its history last week when the driver of a Maharashtra State Corporation bus came from wrong side of the busy Pune-Solapur Road and went past smashing all types of vehicles on the way killing at least 9 persons and injuring 27 pedestrians, and ramming at least 40 vehicles.
The 30-year-old driver was reportedly in a violent mood and went berserk crushing several cars while driving his vehicle aimlessly in a crowded market at high speed over pedestrians.
The gruesome photos of this “Deadliest Road Rage” should be a wake-up call to traffic authorities everywhere. All big public utilities need to check the mental condition of their staff, especially drivers with “regular medical tests” to ascertain any medical problem.
Such situations can arise due to overworking, family problems or professional hazards. Also any kind of misperception can trigger off a psychopathic reaction in an already mentally disturbed person. To put them behind wheels is to give them a license to kill.
MUHAMMED JAMIL ATHER
Karachi
