The National Statistics, which have been released recently, have revealed that there are 15 lakh major accidents every single year in India. Of these major accidents around 1.5 lakh are involved in fatalities.
Various reasons have been given behind these accidents, mostly those ending in deaths. Some cite drunken driving others give ash and negligent driving as the cause of fatal accidents. Some blame the conditions of the roads, which are often so bad that vehicles are not only damaged but are involved in accidents due to the bad condition.
Others say that that improper lighting on the streets cause accidents at night. Some others blame the drivers who overspeed and are careless whilst overtaking. There are still who blame authorities for issuing licences without conducting proper driving tests and some believe that licences are just bought by those who can afford to throw away money. But little do the authorities realise that they are putting ‘criminals’ on the roads.
Even when they are involved in fatal accidents, they will use their political power to get cases against them squashed and the victim’s family is often ruined because the only bread winner in the family is painfully taken away from them.
Accidents, which are caused by the above mentioned reasons, can be reduced drastically if certain measures are taken to rectify the mistakes. Often the traffic police are blamed for looking the other side, if some politicians on their kin are involved in breaking traffic rules. Unless traffic rules are strictly implemented and also the rules are taught in the school so that students are made aware of their civic responsibility. Charity begins at home, they say. But in today’s world, there is no one to teach charity as both parents often are at work the whole day and children are left with servants. So beginning to teach students the basic civic sense, making them aware of the traffic rules may reduce the accidents as the children will learn to respect others.
Corporates hold business meetings to make people aware of their product. In the same way, seminars could be held to make people realise their rules in a civic society, specially while on the roads.
In some countries, people who are involved in accidents or break traffic rules, are docked some points on their licence. Once they points cross the limits, their licences are suspended.
Speed limits should be strictly adhered to and those breaking the rules should be punished.
