Hyderabad: The latest crash involving a private bus and a stationary truck, which killed six people in Suryapet, has put the spotlight on a deadly but often overlooked road safety hazard in Telangana — vehicles left parked on the carriageway or shoulders.According to Union ministry of road transport & highways ( MoRTH) data, Telangana had recorded 453 accidents involving stationary vehicles in 2024, killing 141 people, an average of more than one such crash a day. More alarming is the severity of these accidents with the fatality rate of over 30%. Another 76 people suffered grievous injuries and 282 sustained minor injuries.Among southern states, Telangana’s 453 accidents were lower than Karnataka’s 1,248 and Andhra Pradesh’s 592, but higher than Tamil Nadu’s 365 and Kerala’s 339. Telangana’s 141 deaths were also close to Tamil Nadu’s 153, despite Tamil Nadu reporting fewer accidents.Road safety experts say that the problem is particularly serious on highways, where heavy trucks and other commercial vehicles are frequently left on road shoulders, often without adequate warning signs, reflective markings or sufficient space from moving traffic.They point out that many such crashes occur between 3am and 6am, when driver fatigue and reduced visibility significantly increase the risk. At speeds of around 100 kmph, motorists have little time to spot and avoid a stationary truck, turning a minor parking violation into a potentially fatal collision.“With govt collecting tolls from motorists using these highways, road safety and enforcement must be treated as an essential part of highway management. Regular patrols should identify dangerously parked vehicles, particularly during the high-risk early-morning hours, and ensure that stalled or illegally parked trucks are moved to safer locations,” Indian Federation of Road Safety’s Vinod Kanumala said.“On the other hand, the visible shortage of patrol vehicles on several highway stretches is a concern,” Vinod said, adding that authorities need to strengthen route patrolling, deploy more enforcement and towing vehicles.Meanwhile, officials said road safety measures have been intensified along the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway. “RTA, police and NHAI are working jointly to identify more black spots and rectify road defects that could contribute to accidents. We are also assessing vulnerable stretches and other safety deficiencies to prevent crashes and bring down fatalities on the highway,” a senior RTA official said.
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