Woman two-wheeled rider died in accident involving two private buses

A private bus involving an accident in which a woman two-wheeler rider was killed on Friday (March 14, 2025) at Menaka Junction in Kochi. |Picture source: Special arrangement

A young woman was crushed to death in Menaka on Friday (14 March 2025) in her husband’s two-wheeler, allegedly due to the rash driving of two private buses owned by the same person.

Mary Sanitha, 36, a resident of Mundamveli, died shortly after the accident, while her husband Lawrence escaped due to injury. The couple has two children who go to school.

Police sources said the accident happened because the drivers of two buses were engaged in competitive driving under the name “Sajimon”, one of which tried to surpass the other bus leaving the bus stop. The couple on the two-wheeled vehicle, caught between the two-wheeled vehicle, was hit by one of the buses, and then their rear wheels passed by the woman. It is reported that the bus driver fled the scene shortly after the accident.

Meanwhile, the ongoing reckless driving and accidents involving private buses have caused severe action by the police and the Department of Automobile (MVD) against such bus crews.

“It is shocking that the state government has not intervened in driving most of the approximately 500 city permit buses in Kochi with reckless driving, despite the accident, they are causing and intimidating driving,” BJ Antony said. “For years, bus operators have found it difficult to obtain quality drivers, although the amendment to the Automobile Act insists on improving the quality of drivers to ensure safer roads. Drivers must realize that competitive driving, especially within the city limits, is futile. For their part, both the MVD and the police must take active and deterrent measures to end the threat posed by recklessly driven buses,” he added.

In Section 136-A of the Motor Vehicle Act, former motor vehicle inspector Bijulal Ram said the bill had ordered the state government to ensure the electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety as stipulated by the central government. “In part, the center should develop rules for electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety measures, including CCTV, speed gun and body wearable cameras. In addition to regular review and training for drivers, drivers of public transportation need to be strengthened,” he added.

Even if the public is not angry with police and MVD officials, law enforcement officers say they have done their best in limited legal means. “Every day, the City Traffic Police (Western) pays 50 to 70 cases for private bus drivers for reckless driving, obstructive parking and drunk driving. In addition to the inspection, it is to verify the speed of the governor and illegal angles and other aspects. Unfortunately, even during off-peak hours and during holidays, bus drivers resort to rashes,” said Assistant Commissioner of the City Traffic Police Department PK Sabu.

A MVD official said department personnel were on the ropes due to huge pressure from a few bus operators to organize as law enforcement officers strengthened law enforcement. He added that this is a senior qualification for bus operators and drivers due to the sharp deterioration of service quality and operations in the industry.

KB Suneer, an office competitor of the Private Bus Operators Association, said the association is completely against rash driving and operates as a member only according to traffic rules. “The owners of most Rash-driven buses are not members of any Bus Operator Association. Making things worse, most of which handed the bus to others, further encouraging rash driving,” he added.