Measures in reduction of road accidents
It was a time some 50 years ago, the human population was less, even then it was stated that India is thickly populated. Now also our population has considerably increased and we are still afraid of this growth. But foreigners are eagerly watching on our growth and want to come over to our country for trade and sell their products at much lower cost and high quality.
Similarly in that period the vehicle population was less compared to the present generation it increased four-folds. Despite the governments efforts in road widening was considerable and the number of flyovers increased, yet we see traffic jam, serious accidents and multiple road deaths,.
The cause of accidents, prevention of accidents and removal of traffic jams had seen a combined effort of the legislature, the government and the judiciary. Could any one sincerely say that this has solved the problem of reducing accidents?
The Legislature very emphatically made the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules; did it solve the problem? The government entrusted the matter of traffic control to police; could this bring any solution for traffic control? The Government entrusted the matter of maintenance of roads and road widening to the Municipality and the PWD; was there any response to improve the result? The judiciary in response to PIL had revised some traffic rules, were they implemented sincerely and the revision in traffic rules brought any results? The usage of helmets for two-wheelers is said to be strictly implemented; has it brought any results or did it add more to the atrocities of the police.
The usage of safety belts to car drivers, while to some motorists it has became a show-belt. Did this create any safety measure or became more inconvenient to the car driver and the passenger? It is wondered why alone the safety of the car driver has become the matter of great concern, leaving he drivers of trucks, buses and auto rickshaw drivers who are also likely be hurt by the steering. Ask the users of belts i.e., car drivers and definitely they will say “It is a nuisance, as it has to be removed every now and then in the city”.
This means that we make some rules which are made without proper fore thought and they become meaningless, by which people realize such rules are not for safety but for inconvenience. The belts should have been made compulsory for all vehicles since the driver is exposed to the risk of hitting his head to the steering, that too it should be a must on highway roads or where there is less traffic and not in the city area where the user has to get down at every short distance and the speed of the vehicle is very slow.
- Improper traffic rules :
- Responsibility of the Municipality:
- Mobile Traffic Police Squad:
- Mobile Municipal squads:
- Licensing of Drivers:
- Lectures on Driving:
- Responsibility of manufacturer of automobiles:
- i) Tractor and Trailer Manufacturers: – It is worth mentioning here that the tractors are made with an open body even without any covering at the bottom. If the tractor meets with an accident there is every possibility of the driver falling down and coming under its wheels.
- ii) Manufacturers heavy vehicles: In future the manufacturers of heavy goods vehicles and buses should be asked to provide horns on either side near the rear vehicle, so that the pedestrians or two wheeler drivers which are overtaken by such vehicles can get cautioned with the help of horns, and thus avert accidents. Added to this presently registered vehicle owners should be asked to provide the horns as suggested, failing which they should be informed that no fitness of vehicle would be given. A provision for safety belts for driver should also be made so as to utilize it on the highway roads.
- iv) Driver’s Belts: Imposing usage of driver’s safety belts is definitely a good rule. But this should not be for the city drivers, as they get down every now and then. Moreover, the cars are driven generally at a lower speed in the city. This should be outside the municipal limit or on roads where traffic is less, particularly highways. Added to this drivers of cars are not alone exposed to the risk of hitting with the steering, but the drivers of trucks, buses, autos etc. should be asked to use the safety belt, as there is also possibility of their getting injured with the steering.
- v) Helmets: The story of helmets is not new. It has all the 25 years, during which period its usage was compulsory, then relaxation came. Every time a new Traffic Chief takes the charge, the helmet manufacturers approach and makes its usage compulsory in the name of the safety of the two-wheeler driver, this is perhaps due to boost the sale of helmets. After sometime peoples grievances and representations being relaxation. This cycle of activity of imposition and relaxation is periodically made by every changed traffic chief.
- The Role of Police:
- Care after the accident:
- Role of the media and films:
- Care of the God-father
By Mr. Vazir Ahmed Khan
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