Kerala MVD Steps Up Highway Patrols and Issues Advisory as Aquaplaning Accidents Rise
The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) in Kerala has initiated round-the-clock patrolling on the state’s newly built national highways following a series of fatal road crashes during the monsoon season. The department has issued a safety advisory warning drivers against the hazards of aquaplaning on wet and waterlogged road surfaces.
What Happened
Aquaplaning, also referred to as hydroplaning, takes place when a film of water builds up between a vehicle’s tyres and the highway surface. This causes the tyres to lose direct contact with the road, leading to a loss of steering and braking control, particularly when vehicles navigate standing or flowing water at elevated speeds.
The MVD released surveillance camera recordings illustrating multiple vehicles, including a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus, losing traction, spinning, and veering off the highway due to aquaplaning. The warning follows severe accidents across the state since the onset of the monsoon. In Malappuram district alone, around 12 individuals lost their lives in distinct road crashes, with numerous others sustaining injuries.
Among the incidents, an accident involving a private bus at Kuttippuram on July 26 was linked to aquaplaning; the crash resulted in one fatality and injured more than 20 passengers. Following that incident, more than four drifting occurrences involving smaller vehicles have been recorded on National Highway 66 within the district.
Key Highlights
- 24/7 Highway Patrols: MVD officials have launched continuous patrolling on newly built national highways, scheduled to operate until the monsoon concludes.
- Focus on Speed and Waterlogging: Enforcement teams are prioritizing speeding violations and inspecting waterlogged highway sections.
- NH 66 Design Concerns: Water accumulation has been recorded on parts of the newly constructed six-lane NH 66 following heavy rains, drawing scrutiny over potential design shortcomings.
- Advisory Measures: The department has urged motorists to refrain from using cruise control during rain and to keep vehicle speeds below 60 kmph on wet stretches.
- Tyre Maintenance: Drivers are instructed to verify proper tyre tread depth and maintain correct inflation pressures.
Why This Matters
Preliminary findings by authorities indicate that excessive vehicle speed on wet surfaces is the leading factor causing vehicles to aquaplane. In addition, standing water on newly constructed stretches of NH 66 presents an operational hazard for high-speed traffic.
Addressing the issue, traffic psychologist and former Deputy Transport Commissioner P.M. Mohammed Najeeb noted that motorists frequently fail to recognize the danger of aquaplaning until they encounter it firsthand. He highlighted that even a thin water film can trigger aquaplaning at high speeds, emphasizing that reducing driving speed during rainfall remains the most reliable preventative measure.
What to Watch Next
MVD highway patrols will remain deployed round-the-clock across critical corridors through the remainder of the monsoon season. Authorities will monitor compliance with speed advisories and track water accumulation points along newly built highway stretches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aquaplaning?
Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water separates a vehicle’s tyres from the road surface, causing the vehicle to lose traction, steering response, and braking capability.
What should drivers do if their vehicle begins to aquaplane?
According to the MVD advisory, drivers experiencing aquaplaning should keep the steering wheel steady, ease off the accelerator, and avoid sudden braking or sharp steering until the tyres regain traction.
What driving speed does the MVD recommend during rain?
The department recommends that motorists lower their driving speed and remain below 60 kmph when travelling on wet roads or through areas where water has gathered.
Source: Based on reporting published by The Hindu.