It is reported that very soon helmets will be compulsory for all two-wheeler riders as well as the pillion riders on all roads in the State. Whether it will be strictly enforced is another matter. In the not too distant past, we have seen RTO framing rules for private bus operators, but these were enforced only for a month and then forgotten. The bus drivers and conductors were supposed to wear uniforms with their name tags. Passengers were told to ask for travel tickets and violations if any to be reported to the RTO officers on duty.
It is true that helmets will prevent injury to the head and save many precious lives, but at the same time the authorities should not forget that the conditions of the roads need improvement, the craters on the roads that appear soon after a few showers in the monsoons make it difficult to navigate and do cause many accidents. At times, all of a sudden out of nowhere a stray dog will make a sudden appearance in front of the two wheeler like a ghost and the rider is thrown off the bike. The stray cattle are another menace and despite efforts by the authorities to impound them, the situation persists. The bulls and cows take a centrestage on the roads which cause accidents especially at nights. The Government had set up cattle rescue centers and my personal experience at one time to get them to impound stray cattle proved futile. When I told them that the cattle caused nuisance, many questions were asked.
The traffic police must keep an eye on the young generation of two-wheeler riders who perform all sort of stunts on the roads, by overtaking from the left, right and centre, thinking that the road is their private property. It is the youth who are the main casualties in most cases; it is a pity that so many parents grieve the tragic loss of their sons in road accidents.
The penalties for the traffic violations should be increased substantially and the license should be withdrawn in case of repeat offenders. No leniency should be shown even if the offender is connected to people in influential positions. In our country the laws do not apply uniformly to all the citizens. People with connections walk scot-free even if they have severely injured or killed the victim in an accident.
Live to ride.
