Reckless Wheels: Roadside Slumber Turns Fatal

Reckless Wheels: Roadside Slumber Turns Fatal  

The recent tragedy in Pune, where a drunk dumper driver ran over nine people sleeping on the roadside, killing three and injuring six, exposes glaring issues in road safety and public policy. This incident is not just a tale of negligence but a reminder of how systemic failures continue to cost innocent lives.  

Roadsides, meant for pedestrians and, regrettably, for the shelterless to rest, are increasingly becoming sites of death due to reckless driving. The absence of effective policing, stringent laws, and public awareness about drunk driving aggravates this crisis. Even after years of campaigns, incidents like this prove how deeply ingrained the disregard for road safety norms is.  

The role of local administration cannot be ignored. Why were these people forced to sleep on the road in the first place? The lack of affordable shelters and urban planning pushes the underprivileged into life-threatening situations. Meanwhile, authorities often respond to such tragedies with temporary measures that fail to address the root cause.  

The judiciary and policymakers need to act decisively to curb drunk driving through stricter laws and harsher punishments. Simultaneously, there must be a humane approach to provide safer alternatives for the homeless.  

This incident is not just an accident; it is a preventable disaster that highlights systemic apathy. The onus is now on the authorities and citizens alike to ensure that such horrors do not repeat.