Road safety week. A week is too short a period to be effective method to road safety, Nevertheless some consciousness is aroused. It should be a continuous process in action with meaningful outcomes.. The most visible pursuits are to chase , challan those without helmets, as if not wearing helmets is the cause of accidents. Saving lives after accidents occur is a shallow reasoning. What is the statistics of lives lost, maimed for life in spite of wearing helmets would be interesting? The main focus of safety enforcement appears to be revenue enhancement for the cash strapped Govt .No doubt sensational accidents seemed to be linked with two wheelers and loss of young lives. The sale of bikes must compulsorily include helmets in the costs. it should not be optional for the pilion riders, ridiculous, as if their lives are dispebnsable.. The quality of helmets worn just to circumvent the rules is a mockery. The lack of provision for securing helmets and also having to cart them along is cumbersome and is dissuasive., Minors, provided with bikes, arranging of license by parents clandestinely, even to go to schools is abhorrent. There is no check on mechanical fitness of the private vehicles. Lack of insurance should invite heavy penalty and also driving without valid license. Too often the dress of conductor dribver. no ticket in public vehicles takes precedence.. There is always a way out, if the enforcement is strict . The easy access to license is another worry..Lack of frequent public transport facilities is increasing the vehicle population on narrow roads, that have not kept pace with large number of vehicles added every month. The loan enticements adds to desire of owning a vehicle almost at will. The poor road lighting, dispersion prevented by foliage adds to woes at nights .The cattle menace is aggravating road safety Badly maintained, narrow, pot holed roads, poor quality of roads specially during monsoons is a serious matter. The potholes are only attended to after fatal accidents, hue and cry or post monsoons. No one is bothered of dangerous overcrowding in public transport, delays, non schedule stops and using passenger vehicles for transport of goods. Where is the caution on over loading, rash and negligent driving, under influence of alcohol, speeding specially to collect passengers? The fiat of S.C on liquor outlets on Highways has been tweaked to accommodate commercial, revenue and employment considerations. Are eye tests , hearing impairment significant factors? High light beams are blinding the oncoming traffic and drivers. .The width of roads is the most neglected aspects thus far. The diversion of heavy traffic during peak hours, ban of entry of such vehicles are worthy of serious enforcements. It is a silly idea, misnomer of convenience of designating major district roads etc as National or part of National Highways, as such roads are universally constructed to bypass congested towns and cities In spite of directions/ from MARD, the blind bends, scene of freqquent accidents are crying for action The proliferation of unscientific speed breakers specially on National Highways are themselves cause of serious accidents.The revenue generated by fines, road tax must necessarily be used to improve road constructions, safety on priority. There is no emphasis on manning traffic with signals, but outdated manual approach is still in vogue
Goa a small state, but its share of road accidents compared to the National average is alarming. The easy availability of alcohol at every nook and corner definitely makes it a heady mix. Bihar after introduction of ban on alcohol has seemed to reduce road accidents appreciably. .There should be an all India register of persons involved in accidents. Provision of temporary suspension and permanent ban on driving, if involved in recurring accidents cases,. There should be a planned, directed educational approach at various levels to consciencetise all concerned .There seems to be no road discipline followed by road users. the two wheelers are a law unto themselves. Separate laning concept for vehicles has still not found favour. The regular maintenance of passenger vehicles, strict check on drivers should be rigorously enforced . Some minimum level of education of drivers, psychological test on patience, alertness, quick response would go a long way. Mere deterrents without education and human touch will come to nought Nelson Lopes Chinchinim