Our roads are ‘Death Traps’. In the midst of life ticking on our roadways, death awaits to catch us under the wheels of moving vehicles. Half of our cemeteries are filled with accident victims. There are ‘fatal accidents’ on our traffic lanes after every 27 minutes because our automobile population has grown by leaps and bounds causing congestion on narrow streets. Therefore, to save people dying from skull injuries, our Minister has decided to increase the fine for helmetless heads from Rs 100 to Rs 1000. It is indeed a welcome step as it would save the cranium from damage; although it will not protect rest of the body from serious wounds.
Driving on our roads is a hair-raising experience. Vehicles move the wrong way down the one-way street; Drivers skip the traffic circles; some use mobile while driving; speed-maniacs run dangerously, dash violently and knock down pedestrians; a few drivers keep their spirits up by pouring spirits down as they steer their car, bus, lorry or van. Discipline on main roads must be maintained at all costs. Therefore, our Minister should increase the fine of such road-offenders.
Two-wheelers are parked on roads as per the whims and fancies of the concerned riders. They park their motor–cycle anywhere and everywhere, blocking an already parked scooter within a circle. The vehicle at the centre gets surrounded, with all sorts of means of transport; it gets cut off like Robinson Crusoe who was abandoned on an unknown island surrounded by water. Such improper parking should be dealt with a heavy hand. Our Minister should increase the fine for wrong parking on busy roads.
Besides what is stated above, our Minister can increase the fine of contractors who give us bad roads. Authorities can pound the stray animals — the cows that stand and stare; the buffaloes that leisurely roam; and the dogs that run and play. Municipalities should have a permanent, hygienic and environment-friendly cattle pound in their respective jurisdictions . It will stop the stray cattle from loitering and disrupting the flow of traffic; the strays, are a threat to motorist and pedestrians, pounding them will make our roads free. Owners of animals when identified, should be fined.
Everyone knows that compulsory helmet cannot prevent a collision on road; but, it can only protect the head from the effect (I mean injury) of an accident. Daily discipline is a must to achieve lasting success in life. The need of the hour is a hefty fine for that, which causes the accident, namely, traffic indiscipline. Our police should check traffic indiscipline with a challan; if they spare the fine they will spoil the driver and unruliness will continue for a long time on our roads.
