The moment I start my new two-wheeler and get into the main roads, the nervousness begins. Every moving object on the road scares me.

Believe me. As a novice I get scared at the huge trucks, buses, cars and even bicycles that cross me. It might sound a bit exaggeration. But it is the fact.

My fear increases manifold when I spot the goods carrying vehicles. Not the closed ones, but those that transport huge slabs, granite blocks, steel and iron rods that protrude out of the vehicle of course with a piece of red cloth tied at its end. Sometimes, I even get rattled at the sight of a person carrying glass or tin sheets in a two-wheeler.

“In India, we do not follow the proper lane system. Heavy vehicles carrying goods manage to stick on to one lane unlike other vehicles. Problem arises only when the vehicle tries to change the lane. The consequence is quite dangerous. It is even more dangerous in the case of a two-wheeler carrying rods or sharp objects. Unfortunately, drivers have not been taught safety rules in India,” says Sairam V, resident of Perur.

According to a Regional Transport Officer, who did not want to be identified, those carrying goods their two-wheelers should be punished.

“Two-wheelers must only carry two people and their small belongings. Those carrying heavy goods or objects in bikes should be punished as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Act of 1989. Unfortunately, the traffic department is short staffed. They are not able to take action against a person who violates traffic rules.

If a traffic constable arrests a person, it will take four hours to complete the legal formalities. As the procedure is time consuming, no action is being taken. But the public can inform the police if they spot any vehicle carrying heavy objects. They can click a photograph and lodge a complaint with the police along with the photograph,” he added.

Overloaded vehicles – including goods and passenger carrying ones – are the major reasons behind most of the road accidents in the country. The reason – most of the drivers do not have knowledge or are unaware of road safety rules. Or, is it that they are least concerned about others using the road? These issues need an immediate answer.