The newly constructed stretch of National Highway 66 near Calicut University has become a tragic hotspot, sparking serious alarms about its safety. In just two consecutive days, devastating accidents claimed three lives and left half a dozen individuals severely injured, underscoring an urgent need for robust safety improvements.
This 77-kilometer section of NH 66 in Malappuram district, despite nearing completion, has alarmingly witnessed a sharp increase in road mishaps over recent months. A significant contributor to this danger is the rampant illegal parking of heavy vehicles, especially lorries, along the highway. One such illegally parked lorry was tragically involved in a Friday night accident at VK Padi near Thalappara, resulting in two fatalities and three critical injuries. Days later, on Sunday afternoon, a child lost their life when a speeding car veered out of control and collided with another parked truck near Kohinoor, close to Calicut University.
Road safety experts are quick to point out that excessive speed is a primary factor in these recent tragedies. P.M. Mohammed Najeeb, a veteran road safety expert and former deputy transport commissioner, emphasizes, “Controlling speed alone can drastically reduce such fatal accidents. It seems some drivers completely disregard the inherent dangers, despite constant warnings that speed kills. We need to implement a scientific approach to educating people about the fatal consequences of speeding, starting right from school.” Dr. Najeeb also noted that new highways frequently experience an initial surge in accidents, which typically subsides as drivers adapt and learn from incidents. “Mere awareness campaigns often fall short; real learning often comes through direct experience and facing consequences,” he added, drawing from his extensive research into driver psychology and road safety.
Beyond human error, environmental factors are also contributing to the peril. Waterlogging on NH 66 during rainfall is a growing concern, with certain sections retaining water longer due to apparent design flaws, creating hazardous driving conditions. Motorists have reported incidents of aquaplaning on the highway during monsoon showers. “Speeds exceeding 70 kmph become extremely risky on wet surfaces,” Dr. Najeeb cautioned, suggesting that a wet road surface likely played a role in the VK Padi accident. Furthermore, drivers recklessly entering the highway via exit ramps and exiting through entry points pose an immense risk, particularly at high speeds.
In response to the escalating crisis, local MLAs convened a District Development Committee (DDC) meeting on Saturday, chaired by District Collector V.R. Vinod. The committee vociferously pushed for immediate improvements in NH 66’s safety measures, highlighting illegal lorry parking as a critical and immediate threat. Motor Vehicle Department officials confirmed that surveillance cameras are currently being installed, and the DDC urged authorities to utilize these cameras effectively to monitor and curb traffic violations.