Unsafe transportation
Lorries carrying iron rods poses grave threat to other road users.Unsafe transportation of construction materials such as bricks and iron rods on trucks are proving to be a cause for concern to fellow motorists.Iron rods are carelessly loaded on to the trucks and they protrude both in the front over the cabin as well as in the rear.Normally when such materials are transported, the standing rule is that the operator should ensure safe transportation by putting up red lights/reflectors during night. A big red cloth/flag should be tied to caution the motorists.Unfortunately, these norms are seldom followed. Most of the truck operators tie a small red cloth, which may not at all be visible.Transport Department officials said that Central Motor Vehicle Rules had provisions for prosecuting those undertaking such unsafe transportation methods. Iron rods should not protrude beyond 100 cm of the vehicle length. Tying up of red flags or reflectors/lights are not obligatory.The Deputy Transport Commissioner, T. Gunasekaran, said that enforcement officers had been asked to focus on such unsafe transportation practices.Similarly, trucks carrying bricks too endanger the safety of motorists, as dust particles fly from the trucks affecting the eyes of two-wheeler riders.Repeated attempts by the police and revenue authorities to ensure that such loads are covered with tarpaulin or plastic sheets have failed.The rash and negligent driving on Thadagam Road has claimed so many lives so far. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), S. Manoharan, said that the City Police Commissioner, C.K. Gandhirajan, had already given clear instructions on enforcing road rules especially in the case of trucks.
