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Reckless driving continues to claim lives in Srinagar

  • RK News By RK News
  • Comments 0
  • 27 Sep 2025

  M Haziq Pandit Srinagar, Sep 26: Reckless driving continues to plague the streets of Srinagar, posing a growing risk to public safety. Residents and commuters from both uptown and downtown areas have voiced concerns over the increasing frequency of the problem, which remains largely unchecked despite repeated tragedies. A spate of back-to-back accidents this month has brought the issue into sharp focus. In the past few weeks alone, three lives have been lost in two separate incidents. On September 17, a 13-year-old schoolgirl was killed when a speeding Eco van struck pedestrians at Jogi Lanker in Rainawari, leaving five others injured. Just a day later, an elderly couple lost their lives when a vehicle hit them while crossing the road at Umerabad HMT. Most recently, on  September 26, a speeding Thar vehicle collided with a Standard SSB bus and a parked truck in Baghat, leaving two people injured. Locals blame weak enforcement of traffic rules and a lack of visible police presence for these recurring incidents. “Drivers often ignore traffic rules and speed limits, knowing there are hardly any checks,” said Danish Qadri, a commuter. “There seems to be no fear of action. The result is frequent accidents, injuries, and deaths. Unless strict enforcement and constant vigilance are maintained, these incidents will continue.” Residents noted that reckless driving is particularly prevalent on busy routes such as MA Road, Residency Road, Batamaloo, Dalgate-Boulevard, and various bypass stretches, where dangerous manoeuvres and disregard for traffic signals create an unsafe environment for both pedestrians and other road users. “The roads are already in poor condition, and when you add reckless drivers, it becomes a recipe for disaster,” said Rashid Ahmad, a resident of Nowgam. Taha Sofi, another resident, added, “It’s frustrating to see people driving as if the roads belong to them. Close calls happen every day, and I’ve had to slam on the brakes multiple times because of dangerous manoeuvres or reckless driving.” The problem is not limited to private vehicles. Public transport such as autos and e-rickshaws is increasingly implicated, with many drivers flouting traffic norms and overtaking recklessly, endangering passengers and other road users. “I have seen teenagers driving e-rickshaws with loud music blasting, weaving through traffic without a care,” said Wasiq Bhat, a resident of Baghat. “It’s no surprise accidents are happening. Who is even checking their licences?”  Many residents had pinned hopes on the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), introduced to automate surveillance and enforce traffic rules more effectively. However, locals say the system has had minimal impact on the ground. “When ITMS was introduced, we expected changes,” said Zain Malik, a commuter from Karan Nagar. “But drivers still flout rules, and follow-ups are rare. The system exists, but the impact on the ground is minimal.”   Under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, rash or dangerous driving is a punishable offence. Drivers can face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both for a first offence. Repeat offenders within three years may face up to two years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 10,000. Despite these provisions, residents feel lenient enforcement has allowed reckless driving to continue unchecked. “Fines and penalties are not enough to deter these drivers,” said Munawar Lone, a resident of Bemina. “What we need is stricter enforcement and legal action. When drivers know there’s little risk of punishment, they continue to break rules.” A senior official from the Traffic Police Department, requesting anonymity, said the department has been taking action against violators. He acknowledged, however, that the scale of the problem makes it difficult to ensure compliance across the city. “Wherever possible, our traffic cops fine drivers who violate traffic norms and regulations,” he said. “But given the magnitude of the issue, it is impossible to cover every area and stop every violator.” He added that while enforcement drives will be intensified, action by authorities alone cannot solve the problem. “Citizens must also follow traffic laws and drive responsibly. Without a change in driving habits, accidents will continue despite our efforts,” he said.

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