Dangers of dangling garbage bags in BBMP autos

It happened on the morning of the 15th November. I was returning home after dropping the kids off at school. I was riding my scooter in a residential area (Vidyaranyapura). Ahead of me was a BBMP garbage-collecting tipper auto, laden with wet waste. Since they also collect dry waste separately, there were jute bags filled with dry waste dangling behind (see the picture below). As you know, these autos collect garbage from house to house in the mornings. 

(picture for representation purpose only)

The auto was driving in the middle of the road when, suddenly, it turned to the left to avoid a deep pothole. Since I was far enough behind, nothing affected me. Despite the driver's attempt to avoid the pothole, there was a loud thud, followed by a screeching noise. The auto stopped, and I too stopped in shock. Then, a scooter rider came sliding across the road, his scooter falling on top of him, with his right foot trapped between the scooter and the rough tar road.

I immediately parked my bike and rushed towards him. I lifted the scooter and then lifted him up. His foot was badly injured; the skin had been scraped off, and blood was slowly oozing out. The young man appeared to be in shock and didn't show any signs of pain. He just looked around in despair. A few people gathered around, but he didn't respond to any of our suggestions or questions. Meanwhile, the blood continued to flow, and he was clearly bleeding. The BBMP auto driver looked around for a medical shop, but it was closed. The biker left untreated and left the place in his scooter—yet there were no fights or arguments.

This incident made me realize the dangers of dangling bags hooked to BBMP garbage autos!

1. The dangling bags of dry waste swing out, the moment the auto takes a steep turn (either left or right). Anyone behind or in front is likely to be hit by these bags.
2. Another danger is the metal flaps or lids, which are often left open and dangle on the sides. They swing in and out as the auto moves (bad roads filled with potholes add to the momentum), and swing out even more when the auto takes quick turns. (Is it centripetal force or centrifugal force?)

Whether BBMP takes cognizance of this matter or not, we, as the public, need to be cautious and keep a safe distance from these garbage autos.

घोडा हैं, मैदान हैं, यह बंदा परेशान हैं !