Hazardous parking of vehicles on highways poses threat to commuters

Hazardous parking and presence of stray cattle on highways have been adding to risk of road accidents.

The risk multiplies, especially during night hours, in the ongoing winter season as it becomes difficult for drivers to apply emergency brakes on time after spotting stationary vehicles and stray cattle from a short distance.

As fog has started appearing on highways, driving has become challenging for commuters. Though fog do not create much difficulty on internal city roads, highways usually witness zero visibility in the extreme winter season due to which chances of mishap increases.

Meanwhile, to enhance night visibility and reduce chances of mishaps, Ludhiana traffic police teams have been pasting reflector tapes on vehicles at key junctions across the city. Such small safety measures play a big role in preventing collisions, especially in low-light conditions.

In 2017, due to the hazardous parking on a highway, a major road tragedy had occurred in Doraha where a woman and her son were killed when their vehicle rammed into a stationary truck. Afterwards, the then Commissioner of Police had directed heads of all 28 police stations of the Ludhiana Commissionerate to register FIRs and impound vehicles, two-wheelers or four-wheelers, in such cases. Following which, several FIRs were also registered and vehicles were also impounded by the Ludhiana police. Traffic police officials and police teams were also told to patrol highways during foggy days.

Always be vigilant, say experts

Experts say as foggy days are ahead, driving in such conditions demand a lot of alertness. One should reduce speed significantly and maintain good distance from vehicles moving in front and any negligence may also lead to pile up of vehicles on highways. It is also wise to turn on low-beam headlight and fog lights. Traffic experts recommend that one should never use high beam lights as the same will hit visibility. Always use right edge of the road or lane markings as a guide and avoid drifting. Do not apply sudden brakes on roads as it may cause fatal accidents. Experts suggest that if you can’t avoid your journey only then drive in foggy conditions.

Despite crores being collected as cow cess, stray cattle roaming on roads

Crores of rupees are collected in cow cess but the Municipal Corporation is not willing to take care of stray cattle. Instead, the administration was allegedly misusing and diverting the cow cess for other purposes. Areas such as Haibowal on Jassian Road, Jagat Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Jalandhar Bypass, GT Road, Kitchlu Nagar and Hambran Road were hit by stray cattle, which could be seen roaming in herds on roads and streets in search of food. The animals were not only causing damage to vehicles and other property but also pose a threat to human lives.

Past tragedies caused due to parking on highways

June 3, 2025: Three persons were killed and three others injured when the car they were travelling in from Ludhiana to Malerkotla rammed into a truck. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Shahid, Rohit Verma and Kosar of Malerkotla.

Sept 3, 2024: One person was killed and 14 injured when a truck hit a stationary bus on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar main road on the outskirts of the city. The incident occurred when attendants of the tourist bus were changing one off its rear tyres after a puncture. The bus was en route to Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra from Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

June 15, 2024: The driver of a a pick-up truck was killed in a freak road mishap after the vehicle crashed into a stationary truck laden with iron rods on a national highway near Doraha. Iron rods hanging from the truck pierced through the driver’s body and he was killed on the spot. His assistant suffered severe injuries.

May 5, 2024: The cleaner of a truck was killed after the vehicle hit another stationary truck on the national highway near Libra village in Khanna.

February 19, 2023: Two persons, including a woman, were killed and 20 injured when their bus collided with a stationary truck near Khanna on the Ludhiana-Delhi highway, around 35 km from here.

February 23, 2023: A couple lost their lives in a road mishap in Khanna after a car hit a stationary truck near Kishangarh village on a national highway near Khanna.

March 12, 2020: A newly-married youth and his brother-in-law were killed while five others sustained injuries when their car rammed into a stationary truck on the GT Road near Salem Tabri.