Let us be very frank. As pedestrians how many of us look around for a ‘Zebra-Crossing’ while wanting to cross a road? It won’t be an exaggeration to say that not many Goans prefer to cross even a busy road along the Zebra-Crossing. Unlike in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and other major cities where it is mandatory for pedestrian to use the Zebra-Crossing while crossing the road, the same is not the case in Goa.
In foreign countries the only way a pedestrian can cross the road is along the Zebra-Crossing. Of course one does not see many such markings for ‘Zebra-Crossing’ on the roads in the state. Even on busy roads such markings are conspicuous by their absence. It must be said that such crossings are a must near schools where the children should be taught about the necessity of crossing the road only along these markings. Several road-accidents take place wherein a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle while crossing the road. Many of these accidents even end up being fatal. However more often than not it is the driver of the vehicle who is blamed for the accident when it could well be the fault of the pedestrian who did not see the vehicle coming while crossing the road.
Crossing the road is one of the basic things that is taught to children from a very young age. To avoid accidents one need to make up one’s mind as to when to cross the road. In today’s world time is of essence. People are always on the move. They are always in a hurry. Hence no one wants to wait for the long queues of traffic to pass by before crossing the road. They prefer to cross the road even when vehicles are moving at a speed. Some try to dodge the traffic as they cross the road. This can have disastrous consequences.
Pedestrians in Goa prefer to cross the road wherever it is convenient for them. They seldom look whether there is a marking for Zebra-Crossing anywhere on the road nearby. Unfortunately in Goa one may not find many such markings. The officials concerned should identify areas where such markings are essential, specially near schools/colleges, the busy market places, etc.
What is also important is to put up sign-boards along the road to alert the drivers of the Zebra-Crossing ahead so that they slow down. On busy roads where there are long queues of vehicles a policeman needs to be posted so that the traffic is stopped at intervals to allow the pedestrians to cross the road. But what is also very important is for the pedestrians to inculcate the habit of crossing the road only at designated points where there is a Zebra-Crossing.
