Slopes, speed and overload: Why apple-laden trucks keep toppling

With the apple transportation season in full swing, incidents of apple-laden vehicles overturning on the Parwanoo-Solan-Shimla National Highway and adjoining roads are surfacing yet again, raising serious safety concerns.

Recently, a pick-up carrying apples rammed into a hillside near Jatoli on the Solan –Oachghat highway after the driver reportedly lost control of the steering. The driver sustained injuries, but survived the crash. Just days earlier, another pick-up overturned near a flyover on the Solan-Dharampur highway. Such mishaps, seen year after year during the apple harvest season, are not rare. At times, these vehicles collide with other motorists, causing fatalities.

Blind spots add to problem

“Several locations along the apple transportation routes, including Timber Trail Chowk, Shamlech, Deonghat and the sharp Anji village curve, remain risky due to limited visibility. These require extra caution from drivers to avoid overturning accidents:” Gaurav Singh, Solan SP

According to Solan SP Gaurav Singh, overspeeding, rash driving and in some cases, inebriated driving are major causes. Certain spots along the highways — Timber Trail Chowk near Parwanoo, Shamlech near the Barog bypass tunnel, Deonghat, and a sharp curve at Anji village on the Solan-Dharampur stretch of National Highway-5 — are particularly accident-prone.

Although the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state Public Works Department (PWD) routinely work to improve black spots, Singh said driver negligence remains a leading factor.

Shimla Additional SP Navdeep Singh explained that many vehicles were overloaded, and constant heavy strain during long journeys could cause mechanical failures, including engine overheating. “We advise drivers to halt at regular intervals, especially at checkpoints, to prevent wear and tear. Unfortunately, poor vehicle maintenance adds to the risks,” he said.

Rainy-season conditions make matters worse. Low visibility and slippery roads reduce reaction time, while drivers from the plains, often unfamiliar with the sharp curves and steep inclines of hill roads, struggle to negotiate bends safely.

The pressure to meet delivery deadlines compounds the danger. Heavy apple-laden trucks require skilled handling, particularly on narrow, winding stretches. Inexperienced or untrained drivers can easily misjudge turns, leading to loss of control over vehilces.

The authorities have urged drivers to follow speed limits, avoid overloading and conduct regular maintenance checks. Awareness campaigns are also being planned.