Not a single day goes by without the newspapers or the social media reporting tragedies caused by accidents, on our roads, some leaving people dead and others permanent scars or grave injuries in victims. It is sad, indeed, that a society, which prides in being civilized and highly literate, should be so insensitive to the pain and suffering that these road accidents cause not only to the victims, but to their near and dear ones too.
Accidents are never deliberate nor can they be totally erased. But recklessness and negligence can surely be avoided. Sadly, it often appears that affluence and the size of our vehicles are directly proportional to our arrogance and aggressive behaviour on our roads. Needless to say that slower riding or driving, cautiousness and concern for others, would not only minimize accidents but their consequences too.
Statistics prove that accidents and deaths on the roads are on the rise in our small State, despite the fact that we have now mostly four or more lanes on the main routes. So, neither the extra space for movement of vehicles nor the near strict implementation of the helmet rule, has, in any way, helped in reducing road accidents or deaths. Last year, they increased by nearly 10%, with over 3000 accidents and 271 deaths. And two-thirds of these were in two-wheeler crashes. Of course, there are many major and minor ones, which are not registered.
The new highways have allowed us to speed up more than needed and reach our destination much faster. While this was expected and is partly the purpose of having broader roads, loss of control of a fast moving vehicle is not a very rare occurrence. Hence, over speeding needs to be avoided.
Unfortunately, neither two-wheeler riders nor car drivers seem to realize that is not the Police, but injuries and possible death that they need to fear. Despite dozens of deaths for want of crash helmets, the riders would rather pay fines than wear a helmet. Similarly, while drivers often use seat belts, other occupants don’t, simply because it is not compulsory yet. The Transport Department must look into this, at least in vehicles which have a provision for the same. Let us be convinced that use of seat belts and crash helmets do help in reducing deaths and major injuries.
While the motorists are mainly responsible for road accidents, the insincerity of the Police in reducing accidents by strictly enforcing the law, especially as far as rash driving, over speeding, reckless overtaking, wrong parking, particularly in turns, cannot be overlooked. They may show statistics to prove that they are also punishing such violators, but we are witness to their targeting riders on absence of crash helmets, documentation and the inconsequential pollution certificate, so that the targets for boosting sagging finances of Govt. are achieved. A proposal given to some past DGPs and IGPs of having two traffic policemen circulating on motorcycle to curb traffic violations, never took off, though welcomed by them. It is now being implemented by the present DGP, Jaspal Singh, who is keen in controlling accidents and hopefully will succeed, if zero tolerance is shown for violations, which could result in serious accidents. This step will not only ensure better revenue, but control fast riding or driving, without crash helmets or seat belts, irregular and double parking and regulate traffic flow. People need to cooperate in this praiseworthy endeavour.
It is a sad reflection on our society that people cannot freely use zebra crossings, the elderly need to run across, to avoid being hit and cycling has become hazardous. Accidents have become so common that people cannot be sure of returning home safe, in Margao, many elderly people cannot venture going out, in absence of footpaths, due to continuous and chaotic traffic and others need to use two wheelers because parking four-wheelers is next to impossible.
Parking is a serious problem that has defied solution in all our cities. Accidents on highways and district roads, generally occur due to rash driving and overtaking. Problems of parking and traffic jams in cities, could be reduced by charging fees for parking but mainly by introducing regular inter-city transport – buses, cabs or rickshaws. This will not only reduce vehicles on the roads, solve parking issues, alleviate people’s expenditure but most of all save precious fuel and generate employment.
Motorists need to show utmost respect for weaker vehicles and particularly for pedestrians. Over 50 deaths of pedestrians, last year, do not behoove a civilized and cultured society.
It is impossible for the Police to discipline every motorist, who violates basic traffic rules. Many drivers do not use indicators, at junctions or while changing lanes, others do not dip the lights and drive throughout with full lights. This negligence has been the cause of many an accident.
The life of every individual is precious for himself/herself, the family and the society. Many children have been orphaned and too many parents have buried or cremated their children, victims of road accidents. Some are lying in coma or maimed for months and even years. Our roads are soiled with the innocent blood of our brothers and sisters. A sensitive society and those who care for others, cannot afford these murders and tragedies, however involuntary they may be.
Let us all, drivers/riders or not, the Transport Department and the Traffic Police join hands to restore sanity in ourselves and take a firm resolve to stop this bloodshed on our roads.
(The author is a
retired Banker)
