The voluntary organization “Basta Vittime sulla Strada Statale 106” announced that yesterday it had sent a formal urgent report to the prefectural commissioner of the Municipality of Mandatoriccio, to the prefect of Cosenza, to Anas Spa, to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Castrovillari and to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to report a serious dangerous situation present on the Strada Statale 106 at km 308+400, in the municipal territory of Mandatoriccio.
According to what is documented in the report sent by the association, following a road accident, the protective wall separating the roadway from a pedestrian crossing located approximately four meters lower than the road surface was demolished.
To date, the organization reports, the area has been made safe only through the positioning of two plastic New Jerseys, which are also empty, a solution deemed inadequate and incapable of preventing motorcycles, cars, vans or heavy vehicles from falling into the void.
The risks reported and the reminder of responsibilities
The association highlights how such an eventuality would pose very serious risks not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians passing through the passage below. Added to this would be signage deemed insufficient and unsuitable for guaranteeing minimum safety conditions.
Faced with a situation defined as both evident and dangerous, the organization explains that it deemed it necessary to formally recall the responsibilities provided for by current legislation, recalling how the competent bodies can be called to respond in civil and criminal proceedings should accidents occur that can be traced back to the persistence of this state of danger.
The report refers, among others, to articles 2043, 2051 and 2053 of the Civil Code, relating to liability for damage and for the care of infrastructures, in addition to the provisions of the Highway Code which impose on owner bodies the obligation to guarantee the safety and functionality of the infrastructures.
The request for immediate intervention
The voluntary organization “Basta Vittime sulla Strada Statale 106” has therefore requested with the utmost urgency the adoption of immediate remedial measures to eliminate the danger and restore adequate safety conditions along the affected section of the Statale 106.
«We have done what we believe is our duty – declares President Leonardo Caligiuri – that is to formally report a clear and documented dangerous situation. We did it in the competent institutional bodies and we did it by putting in writing all the responsibilities required by law.”
«Now – continues Caligiuri – it is up to those who have the duty to intervene to do so promptly. Unfortunately, Highway 106 has taught us that tragedies often come after reports that are ignored or underestimated. This is why we want to be clear: if something were to happen at that point, no one will be able to say they didn’t know.”
Finally, the organization reiterates that it will continue to monitor with the utmost attention and that, should the situation persist or accidents attributable to this dangerous condition occur, it will not hesitate to take every useful initiative to ensure that all relevant responsibilities are ascertained. Because, concludes the association, on State Road 106 safety cannot be left to chance and the protection of citizens’ lives cannot tolerate delays, superficiality or silence.