Kerala to Form Special Teams for Scientific Probe into Major Road Accidents

The Kerala government is planning to establish dedicated 'post-crash investigation teams' in every district to conduct scientific inquiries into major road accidents. The Transport department has taken this decision following a series of tragic incidents, including the recent Kottarakara tipper lorry accident in Kollam district, which claimed three lives and left five others injured after a tipper lorry collided with a motorcycle and crashed into a bus stop.

According to officials, the proposed teams will comprise officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), police inspectors, engineers from the Public Works Department or National Highways, and experts from the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). Their primary mandate is to examine all factors contributing to an accident—road defects, vehicle technical failures, driver negligence, and situational circumstances—and prepare a detailed report with recommendations to prevent future tragedies.

The Transport department has stated that the proposal will soon be placed before the state cabinet for approval. If approved, the teams will adopt a scientific approach to accident investigation, moving beyond routine police inquiries. Based on their findings, the department intends to implement stringent measures to enhance road safety across the state.

Kerala has witnessed a spate of road accidents in recent months, prompting the government to reassess its safety protocols. The formation of these investigation teams is seen as a proactive step toward data-driven policy changes. Officials emphasised that the initiative aims to identify systemic flaws rather than assign blame, with the ultimate goal of reducing fatalities on the state's roads.