Pune Tightens Safety Rules For Heavy Vehicles To Reduce Rear-Wheel Accidents; Cameras And Co-Drivers Now Mandatory

Pune introduces strict safety rules for heavy vehicles, making co-drivers, side cameras, and rear bumpers mandatory to reduce rising rear-wheel accident deaths.

Pune | November 25, 2025: Pune authorities have approved a major overhaul of safety rules for heavy vehicles after a series of fatal rear-wheel accidents raised public alarm across the city’s industrial and residential corridors. In a recent review meeting attended by senior officials from the police, traffic division, transport department, municipal administration, and regional planning bodies, a decision was taken to mandate new infrastructure, personnel requirements, and routine safety inspections for heavy vehicles operating within city limits. The move aims to prevent tragedies involving dumpers, RMC mixers, and long-body trucks, which have been repeatedly linked to blind-spot crashes in busy zones like Hinjawadi, Wakad, and PCMC’s industrial belt.

Under the new framework, every heavy vehicle will now be required to deploy a co-driver or cleaner, a rule meant to reduce blind-spot risks on the passenger side. Authorities pointed out that a significant share of past accidents involved two-wheelers, pedestrians, and cyclists who entered the blind area on the left side of large vehicles, leaving drivers with no visibility. To address this, side-view cameras and functional rear bumpers will also become compulsory. The cameras are expected to provide drivers with real-time visibility of the vehicle’s left side, while reinforced bumpers will reduce the likelihood of smaller vehicles being dragged under the truck during a sudden stop.

Officials noted that the frequency of such incidents has risen despite repeated awareness campaigns. The new measures come at a time when cities across India are pushing for safer roads, especially with increasing traffic density and infrastructure expansion. Pune’s decision aligns with a broader national debate on road safety, which has intensified as cities confront issues ranging from overspeeding to blind-spot crashes. While unrelated, recent events like the Ahmedabad road accident and aviation developments such as Air India’s Mumbai-London flight diversions during West Asia crisis tensions show how safety considerations are gaining prominence in public transport discourse across sectors.

To ensure effective implementation, a joint inspection mechanism will be deployed. Teams from the police, RTO, and municipal bodies will conduct routine checks at construction hubs, RMC plants, industrial loading points, and major traffic junctions. These checks will include verification of vehicle fitness, driver licensing, co-driver attendance, and camera-based visibility systems. The aim is to create a continuous monitoring cycle rather than intermittent penal action.

Officials are also pushing for GPS-based speed monitoring, particularly in accident-prone zones where heavy vehicles will be limited to a maximum speed of 30 km/h. The plan includes installing speed-detection units and ensuring strict penal action against violators. The police have also urged construction firms and logistics operators to conduct internal safety drills and provide periodic training to drivers.

Residents of areas like Hinjawadi, Tathawade, and Wakad have welcomed the move. Many IT employees and daily commuters have repeatedly complained about dangerous overtakes and blind-spot collisions involving concrete mixers and construction trucks. Traffic experts say such regulations can make a real difference only when supported by strong enforcement and industry compliance. They also believe manufacturers should gradually integrate advanced driver-assistance systems in heavier fleets, similar to modern upgrades seen in the aviation sector during rising regional tensions in places like Iran and Israel.

The safety reforms are expected to be enforced in phases, with transport operators receiving a short compliance window before inspections become strict. Authorities also emphasized that no heavy vehicle will be permitted to operate near IT parks, residential blocks, and school zones without meeting the new standards.

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