Reckless Driving and Inadequate Enforcement Lead to Fatal Accidents on Hyderabad’s Streets
Hyderabad’s streets are turning into death traps after dark, as a deadly combination of speeding, poor road enforcement, and a lack of traffic monitoring leads to a rising number of fatal accidents. One such tragic incident took place on January 28, 2025, when three young boys, on a joyride in the city, lost their lives after their two-wheeler crashed into a streetlight pole on the newly inaugurated Aramghar flyover. The boys had been speeding on a road that lacked CCTV surveillance, highlighting a glaring gap in traffic monitoring and enforcement.
The boy’s father, Mohammed Ilyas, still shaken by the loss of his son, recalls the night with agony. His ten-year-old son, Mohammed Ahmed, along with his friends, had been out to enjoy a late-night adventure. Their ride, however, ended in tragedy as their bike spun out of control, leading to a crash that left Ahmed unrecognisable. The incident is part of a wider trend of road fatalities in Hyderabad that underscores the urgent need for improved traffic law enforcement, especially during the night. Hyderabad’s streets are perilous after dark. Data from traffic police records reveals that nearly half of all road fatalities in 2024 occurred between dusk and dawn. Of the 960 fatalities recorded across Telangana in 2024, 49.48% occurred during the night. The rising trend of fatal accidents at night is compounded by speeding, reckless driving, and insufficient traffic control. This tragic reality came to the forefront again just days after Ahmed’s death when two young doctors, V. Jaswant and Bhoomika Reddy, died in a crash while speeding on a quiet stretch in Khanapur, Narsingi.
The unrestrained rush on Hyderabad’s roads at night paints a bleak picture of road safety. As more cars and bikes with powerful engines fill the streets, especially in areas like Cyberabad, speeding becomes a growing issue. Young drivers, often with limited experience, push their vehicles to dangerous limits, leading to crashes that could have been avoided with proper enforcement. While Hyderabad’s traffic police are making efforts to tackle the problem, there are still significant gaps in enforcement. Police presence during night hours is considerably lower compared to the daytime. For instance, Cyberabad has around 30 officials patrolling vast areas from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., compared to 450 officers during the day. This limited manpower makes it difficult to control the surge of speeding and reckless driving, which intensifies the risk of accidents.
Rajesh Kumar, a member of the Traffic Forum of the Society for Cyberabad Security Council, highlights that many accidents occur because of the absence of police officers, especially at critical junctions and flyovers. As a result, drivers speed without fear of being caught, often jumping signals and driving recklessly. The lack of functioning traffic signals during the night also contributes to the issue. Many signals operate on free-run mode, leading to a false sense of freedom for drivers. Cyberabad’s Joint Commissioner (Traffic), D. Joel Davis, acknowledged that this behaviour is often aggravated by the wider, emptier roads, which encourage overspeeding.
To curb the rising number of accidents, experts suggest employing advanced technologies like Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. These cameras, already used in many European cities, can detect speeding vehicles and issue e-challans automatically, without requiring police presence. This system could go a long way in ensuring that violators are penalised promptly, helping to make the city’s roads safer. Moreover, increasing police patrols, especially at accident-prone areas like Aramghar flyover and Wipro Junction, is essential. The city also needs to ensure that traffic signals remain operational at all hours to break the illusion of an uninterrupted road for speeding drivers. Public awareness campaigns targeting reckless driving behaviour could also help reduce the number of road fatalities.
Clear signage, safety reminders, and visible policing near night-time hotspots such as pubs and clubs can make a difference. Hyderabad’s roads have become increasingly dangerous, particularly at night when traffic enforcement is low. With nearly half of all road fatalities occurring after dark, urgent action is needed to combat reckless driving, especially among young people. Improved surveillance, increased police presence, and better enforcement of traffic laws can help curb these preventable deaths. It’s time for authorities to step up their efforts and ensure that Hyderabad’s streets are safe for everyone.
