Every day, road accidents involving animals are a heartbreaking reality in India. countless animals fall victim to road accidents, causing injury, permanent disability, and death, but who cares about their well-being and road accident pain? Who takes them to the hospital?, Who does the first aid? ,Who takes care? Few one, few NGO, few animal lovers.
Some Examples of Animal Road Accidents in India:
- A sand-loaded truck (Hywa) tragically killed a group of cows during the night while they slept on the road.
- A loaded truck brutally ran over a dog, scattering its flesh across the road.
- A car hit and killed a cat near a residential area.
- A buffalo was struck by a truck travelling on the wrong side of the road in the evening; the driver did not notice the animal in time.
- A car hit a donkey that suddenly appeared in front of the vehicle from the divider, leading to its death.
- A horse, running erratically on a busy road, collided with an unknown vehicle and died.
- A pregnant goat grazing on the left side of the road suddenly ran onto the road and was hit by a car; the owner is now demanding compensation for the goat and its unborn kid.
- A duck and a chicken were run over by a biker, leading the owner to demand four times their value in compensation.
These incidents are common across India, highlighting a major issue that remains unresolved—road accidents involving animals. Both road users and animal owners suffer due to these accidents, but finding a permanent solution seems elusive. The question remains unchanged:
Why do these accidents happen? Where does the fault lie?
Common animals found on Indian roads:
- Cows
- Buffaloes
- Dogs
- Goats
- Sheep
- Pigs
- Donkeys
- Horses
Causes of Animal Road Accidents on Indian Roads:Â
- Lack of Awareness: Many road users are not aware of how to drive safely in an animal-prone area, nor do they anticipate animals present or intending to be on the road.
- Limited dedicated areas for cattle sheds and green spaces leave many domestic animals to roam freely on busy roads.
- Rapid Infrastructure Development: Vilage and city Expanding and road networks are also encroaching on traditional grazing lands and habitats, forcing animals to stray onto roads.
- Lack of Control: Unlike humans, animals do not understand road hazards or traffic rules. They cannot learn road safety, nor can they anticipate the dangers posed by vehicles. Also Read –Driving in the Dark: The Alarming State of Road Lighting in India.
A Call for Compassion:
Animals do not have the abilities to understand road hazards; they trust us. The drivers must be aware, anticipate, and drive slowly on the road. As human beings and animal lovers, it is your responsibility to drive safely on the road,, pay attention and anticipate your surroundings, and take extra precautions to prevent accidents involving innocent animals.
Drive Safe, Protect Life!
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