A detailed police investigation into the horrific accident on Ludhiana's Ladhowal bypass, which claimed five young lives earlier this month, has identified critical safety lapses at the spot. The report has prompted authorities to recommend immediate corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Investigation Points to Speed and Darkness
The tragic incident occurred on the night of December 7. A speeding car carrying five youngsters veered out of control, crashed into a road divider, and overturned near the toll plaza on the Ladhowal Bypass. The impact was so severe that two of the victims were thrown off the flyover, resulting in fatal injuries. The deceased were identified as Simranjit Singh (23) of Jagraon; cousins Satpal Singh and Virpal from Kothe Khajura; and Jashanpreet Kaur and Arshpreet Kaur, both from Moga. Their ages ranged between 19 and 23 years.
Following the Supreme Court committee on road accidents seeking a report, the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) for Punjab, A.S. Rai, directed the Ludhiana police to conduct a thorough probe. The subsequent report, a copy of which is with media outlets, concluded that the primary causes were the high speed of the vehicle and poor visibility due to darkness.
Recommended Safety Upgrades for the Accident Spot
Moving beyond attributing the crash solely to human error, the Ludhiana police's report includes specific suggestions for infrastructural improvements at the accident-prone curve. The key recommendations are:
- Installation of wrinkle lights at the beginning of the flyover's curve to enhance visibility for drivers approaching at night.
- Laying down rumble strips on both sides of the curve to alert drivers and naturally reduce vehicle speed through vibration and sound.
- Fixing iron view cutters at the edge of the flyover to act as a barrier and prevent vehicles from plummeting off in case of a loss of control.
ADGP (Traffic) A.S. Rai confirmed receiving the report and stated his commitment to implementing these measures. "We will ensure that all these safety measures are set up at the accident spot," he told reporters. He emphasized that examining fatal accident spots is crucial to identify and rectify any technical road faults that could contribute to mishaps.
Broader Scrutiny and Victims' Background
In a significant development, Rai also revealed that a technical team from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is examining the flyover's design. Any additional faults identified by the NHAI team will also be considered for rectification, indicating a multi-agency approach to road safety.
The police provided heartbreaking details about the young victims' aspirations. The two young women were undergoing training at a beauty academy in Ludhiana. Simranjit Singh was preparing for IELTS to join his elder brother in England. Satpal worked with a DJ, and his cousin Virpal was employed at a tailor shop. The accident cut short their promising lives, underscoring the profound human cost of inadequate road infrastructure.
This case highlights a shift in Punjab's traffic police approach, aiming to systematically audit accident blackspots for engineering flaws alongside enforcing traffic rules.
