PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Dehradun residents were taken aback after a tragic accident killed four people and injured two when a speeding Mercedes, driven by 22-year-old Vansh Katyal, ran them over near Sai Mandir in Rajpur Road on Wednesday night.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents, who believe that such accidents are becoming increasingly common due to the poor enforcement of traffic rules. Locals expressed their frustration, highlighting how reckless driving has become a frequent issue in the city.
Sahastradhara Road resident Anuj Bhatt stated that overspeeding is rampant and even the presence of police does little to deter offenders in Dehradun. “People drive recklessly right in front of the authorities but no one is held accountable, possibly due to staff shortage or just sheer apathy. Violations like overspeeding and jumping red lights are seen as minor offenses even though they are not minor offences as they put lives at risk,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, senior citizen Tej Prakash stated that many young drivers overtake dangerously, leading to unnecessary traffic congestion and accidents. “There is no patience left among drivers. Everyone is in a rush and even when the police are present, they do not intervene. I highly doubt that all violators even get fined. There are no serious repercussions for reckless drivers and when they finally cause a major accident, it results in tragedies like this one,” he said.
Social activist Anoop Nautiyal also raised concerns over the state of road safety in Uttarakhand. He said that the government’s approach to the issue is inconsistent and lacks proper enforcement. “The current measures are episodic, with no long-term impact. Uttarakhand needs a dedicated road safety campaign to address this issue, as the problem will only grow worse if appropriate steps are not taken in time,” he said. Nautiyal also appealed to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging him to implement the Surakshit Uttarakhand Abhiyan in a serious and structured manner. He emphasised that without proper reforms, such accidents will continue to claim innocent lives on Dehradun’s roads.
