It has been an ongoing issue despite numerous complaints to the police and agricultural department.
Recently, I heard the police highlighting that a majority of the accidents on our roads are caused because of speeding.
Did anyone analyse the reason for speeding?
The road conditions, heavy flow of traffic and driver attitude are some of the contributing factors to speeding. Some drivers at 40 kilometre’s per hour on an 80km national highway.
The stray animals are seen by the village or farms. These animals are not stray. The owners do have to take responsibility.
The agricultural department needs to be effective in enforcement, in partnership with the police. When an accident happens involving animals, the occupants of the vehicle suffer injuries.
Whether it be minor or major, the injuries can be life changing. If the driver or passenger are not injured, the vehicle sustains damage.
Vehicle parts are costly, and the driver will need to dig deep to cover the cost. If someone throws a stone at a dog, the relevant authorities jump.
What happens when a car bumps an animal that was let loose by the roadside? There is no action taken against the owner of the animal.
On August 29, a Sunbeam Transport bus was involved in an accident at Tavua with a cow. What happens if the accident had proved fatal?
We are pointing fingers at the enforcement agencies, but aren’t the owners of these animals contributing to road accidents as well?
We need LTA, police, and other enforcement agencies to visit these farm or cattle owners and counsel them about the impacts of accidents on our roads involving animals that are left unsupervised. Act now before it is too late.
Story By: Shailesh Kumar
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