Recently during the ‘Road Safety week’ , the Bangalore traffic police littered the entire city with posters seems to hold women responsible for all mishaps occurring on roads. But, road safety is a concern for all irrespective of gender. It is a matter of fact that lack of etiquettes on the road will prove to be fatal for citizens. No one follows the traffic rules and even the traffic police are not performing their duties efficiently. Bikers are often a headache and we need to focus more on such offenders. The other example of neglecting while driving or riding are using hand phone while driving when you are sleepy, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and playing loud music while driving. Roads are a mess today not because of the bad quality of work, but bad planning. Lane sizes, pedestrian crossings, traffic signals or left-turns are poorly designed. All of this reckless act can be overcome by taking some steps such as use Bluetooth phone devices when receiving or making a call while driving. If the authorities are interested in proper traffic management, the RTOs need to be modernised and upgraded. Duty timings of traffic cops should also be extended to man this busy junction to check erring motorists. Many people drive at 6-7 in the evening with their high-beams on, which can blind the driver on the opposite side.
Moreover, we may increase parking charges and impose heavy penalties for unauthorised parking to reduce the use of private vehicles. The civic body must urge people to use public transport as far as possible to reduce traffic congestion, save fuel and reduce the pollution level in the city. Let’s stop giving excuses, instead look for solutions on the basis of suggestions received from experts and concerned citizens. People must be taught road etiquette, which could reduce 50 per cent of disarray on streets.
Vinod C. Dixit
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
