Reflections...

ANOTHER GAS TRAGEDY

2009 went away from us; especially from people of Kerala the year went away taking 4 innocent lives at Karunagapally near Kollam.
The incident occurred when a Gas tanker collided with a car. Our road traffic rules are violated by all, including the police department in many ways. When this accident occurred a police team arrived on the spot, but poor persons, they don’t know what’s inside this container, or how dangerous is the leak, or what all precaution to take, or what liquid, powder, or foam should be used to suppress this. Really this is one of the main reasons why the fire caught all of a sudden. Actually the fire department comes with a tank of water to every place they are called. They too don’t have any experts in every fire station, if so they are not having any fire safety dress at many places.
When all I have seen a Gas container on the road, I have seen a red small flag on the side of the cabin, how will this be noticed even in the day light, or how will drivers or general public notice a small red bulb in the highway when other cars and trucks are using heavy head lights with dashing speed. I have noticed that the containers has written what the truck is carrying, but my doubt if any incident occur and the truck catches fire how will the fire man know what’s in the container.
Let me suggest some point for safety (1) All the Hazardous or flammable carrying trucks must be forced to use the warning yellow lights as in every other country, so that this can be easily seen in day, and night. (2) All container trucks should be fitted with metal embossed letters in all sides to show what they are carrying, this is if the container catches fire, the metal plates will not get burned, so that the fire man can easily identify. (3) All containers carrying inflammable goods should place their knobs or vent in a safe area, and also out of reach from public. (4) The drivers of the said containers should have minimum qualification , and experience.(5) The containers should be allowed to run in a speed less than 40 km/hr. (6) If possible allow only night riding on thickly populated areas or in heavy traffic. (7) Never allow the container trucks to travel through places where there are festivals, or fire crackers.(8) Never allow the drivers to drive more than eight hours , if so wanted the truck must have two drivers. (9)Allow permit to the container vehicles for the first five years only. (10) Every truck which carries flammable materials must have two or three fire extinguishers.