The last Sunday saw reports of another four deaths, three on the roads and one on the tracks. A few others involved were injured. This has been the story almost every day in 2023.
As we survey our surroundings, two categories of events typically impact our safety and general welfare. The first encompasses circumstances beyond our sphere of influence, such as acts of war, terrorism, or natural disasters.
The second involves actions that lie within the realm of our control–we can either adhere to safety standards for personal well-being or disregard them at great risk. One example of the latter is road safety.
The year 2023 will be etched in memory for the alarming frequency of catastrophic incidents occurring nearly every second day, characterised by a disturbing trend of multiple fatalities and grave injuries. In response to this crisis, the government has implemented arbitrary speed limits enforced through either excessive policing or surveillance technology. Regrettably, such measures appear to lack any reasonable forethought or planning. Perhaps if speed was truly the issue at hand, it would behoove authorities to mandate walking as an alternative mode of transportation.
The alternative method frequently employed involves the haphazard installation of speed breakers devoid of any standardized specifications. Contractors, both individual and collective, lack recollection of their previous installations, resulting in each speed breaker being a unique masterpiece. Interestingly enough, these speed breakers are often positioned on main roads rather than side roads – perhaps to increase the tender quantity – yet they tend to cause more accidents than deter them.
The Indian Road Congress has mandated that the installation of speed breakers should not exceed a height of 10 mm, and must be effective in reducing the speed limit to 25 kmph. Furthermore, it is prohibited to install such devices on highways. During his visit to Goa, the Prime Minister was able to travel smoothly as all the back breaking speed breakers were removed from his path; However, a concerned citizen brought attention to illegal installations which prompted action by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for their immediate removal. It is hoped that reason will prevail in this matter and all illegal speed breakers will be removed.
The Traffic Police have identified around 2000 locations with high incidence of accidents throughout the State. Regrettably, ensuring road safety and preventing loss of life and limb is not a top priority for politicians seeking votes, hence there is little concern about this issue. Even if the Government were to implement a phased plan to address these recommendations, it would only result in gradual reduction of accidents. However, such measures could still make a significant difference over time. Unfortunately, the PWD has already announced its inability to provide funding for this initiative, leaving us with no choice but to wait passively as events unfold.
The Government has recently unveiled a new initiative aimed at curbing drunk driving, which involves monitoring drivers leaving party and wedding venues. This measure is certainly a welcome one, given that “driving under the influence” (DUI) remains a significant contributing factor to accidents on our roads. It is only hoped that this commendable effort will not be derailed by undue pressure from the tourism, alcohol, and entertainment industries.
While it is easy to criticize the government’s efforts in reducing accidents, we must also consider our individual responsibility in promoting safety. Can we encourage citizens to prioritize safety? It is important to remember that accidents do not only affect the victim but also their entire family, resulting in the loss of a breadwinner and financial strain due to treatment costs and potential legal consequences.
The recent incident involving a young woman en route to express gratitude to the divine for her first employment opportunity, who was regrettably struck by a reckless motorcyclist travelling on the opposite side of the road, resulted in her untimely demise and caused severe injury to her sibling. The selfish actions of one individual have shattered the aspirations and disrupted the lives of an entire family.
Take a moment to observe any intersection equipped with traffic signals. It is a regular occurrence during school days to witness parents disregarding the signal while transporting children, either by car or motorcycle. The latter often carries at least two or three minors, which violates established regulations. Additionally, riders tend to wear their helmets on their bikes’ handlebars or forearms rather than properly secured on their heads.
The traffic dividers, intended to regulate vehicular flow, have become a catalyst for flouting traffic laws. Instead of taking the designated U-turns, drivers recklessly take to the wrong side of the road and cross intersections illegally – even during school hours when children are present. It is imperative to underscore this point as it highlights how we are perpetuating an ignominious cycle where future generations will continue to disregard traffic regulations with impunity. Such blatant violations will instil in impressionable young minds that breaking these rules is acceptable behaviour.
Therefore, our focus should be on securing the future by prioritizing road safety. It is imperative that traffic police officers conduct mandatory traffic awareness sessions in all schools. Furthermore, the students must then educate their family members and acquaintances who engage in reckless behaviour such as jumping signals, driving on the wrong side of the road, drunk driving or hazardous parking. These sessions can incorporate video footage showcasing how accidents could have been avoided if proper road etiquette was followed. Additionally, these videos can be disseminated widely through social media to emphasize that accidents are preventable with responsible behaviour on roads.
By implementing these measures, we can cultivate a generation that prioritizes and understands the importance of road safety. It is solely within our control to do so. Educational institutions should extend invitations to traffic authorities in order to establish this awareness, while those who have fortunately survived accidents ought to be urged to speak with students; such first-hand accounts are sure to resonate with young audiences and will inspire them to educate their elders on the matter. As they say, “the child is the father of man” – let us harness the potential of future generations in order to make a meaningful impact and save lives today.
“Merry Christmas, and a happy and safe new year 2024”.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
