A recent bus accident in Pune highlights the issue of sleep deprivation among private bus drivers, a major cause of accidents on Maharashtra highways. Many drivers work long hours without adequate rest, impairing their cognitive function, reaction times, and decision-making skills. Private tour operators are not always subject to the same regulations as state transport drivers, leading to the pressures of meeting schedules and increasing profits. The decline in alertness during certain hours also contributes to accidents, according to a study by the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay.
