Joy rides, pub outings turning out to be tragedies in Hyderabad

Late-night travel, rash driving, fatigue cited as reasons leading to accidents; most of the mishaps occur between 1 am and 3 am, say officials

Hyderabad: What should be light-hearted get-togethers, picnics or late-night joy rides are turning out to be tragedies and ending in fatal road crashes killing people on Hyderabad roads. Late-night travel, rash and negligent driving, fatigue are being cited among reasons leading to these accidents.

A rising perilous pattern is observed in which late-night get-togethers, ranging from party and pub outings, joy rides to picnics and hangouts are ending abruptly in tragedy.

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As per police officials investigating recent road crashes, four common factors were observed to be largely influencing. While late-night travel itself being the first in the list, officials said most accidents often occur between 1 am and 3 am. The second factor is cited as high speed, rash and negligent driving. Mostly, drivers, who are often inexperienced, lose control on the vehicle.

Impaired or fatigued driving, when the driver is under influence of alcohol or lacks rest, ends up increasing the risk of mishaps. Another most important reason is peer influence which steers towards risky behaviour.

Police officials said limiting after-hour driving, curbing rash driving, and monitoring alcohol checkpoints could deter dangerous behaviour.

“Awareness campaigns are taken up targeting young adults and families highlighting the deadly mix of speed, fatigue, and alcohol in public places, educational institutions and offices,” officials said. Friends and family must step in, dissuading loved ones from midnight joy rides, steering them to safer alternatives like taxis, they added.

Meanwhile citizens say spotting trouble-prone stretches like curves, installing speed breakers, reflective signage, and road barriers by civic authorities could curb fatal overshoots. “Each of these incidents is a stark reminder, as what begins as carefree fun or joyride could possibly crumble into irreparable loss with just a lapse of judgment,” said a senior traffic official.