The recent announcement by the Goa Police to penalise vehicular drivers who do not stop for pedestrians to cross on zebra crossings appears to be a step in the right direction. It is understood that in the first four days over 1,100 have been fined across major junctions in Panjim, Vasco, Mapusa, Margao and Ponda. However, it must be said that if the law has to be followed there needs to be proper infrastructure in the first place.
One cannot solely blame the vehicular drivers for not slowing down as they approach the zebra crossings. Many of these pedestrian crossings in the state are difficult to be noticed, specially from a moving vehicle, as they are badly in need of a fresh coat of paint (as seen in the photograph).
There also needs to be proper signage put up just at the approach of the zebra crossing so that the road-users are made aware of the pedestrian crossing ahead and the need to slow down. In foreign countries the vehicles not only slow down but also come to a complete stop to allow the pedestrians to cross. Such road etiquette needs to be introduced in the state for which there needs to be proper infrastructure.
