Bhumesh Sharma
Transport has emerged as a major social and economic concern in India. Roads are the lifelines of the country as the arteries in the heart carry blood from one part to the other in the same way the vehicles on road carry people from one place to another. In fact, roads have occupied most surface area of our cities and towns. Transportation has become an inevitable part of social life, to work, to school, to temples, to playgrounds, to hospital to meet friends…………..Everyone has to take the road.
Things have changed after the industrial revolution. Motor cars and other vehicles have made enormous presence on the roads society. A recent survey points out that there are more roads being built than schools or hospitals. What is a road in the Indian context? Stretches of broken concrete interlaced with potholes, the less said about them the better.
J&K, state is a hilly and accident prone state and burden on the roads is enormous. Our state’s economy largely depends upon tourism. Every year millions of tourists visit this state, for this we need safe roads. The total length of our roads in the country exceeds 3.01 million kilometers. This complicated network consists of 34,608 km of national highways, 128,622 km of state highways.
Every year as many as thousands of people get injured on J&k roads and more than 1500 die. In other words three to four people die every day on roads in J&k. Each of those killed has a network of family, neighbor or colleague who also get affected emotionally and otherwise. Families struggle with poverty when they lose a bread winner or have to bear the expsenses of accident viticms. Motor Vehicles Department and Traffic Police have a greater responsibility to generate confidence among the general public about safe road travel. The number of vehicles are increasing day by day. It is thought of as a sign of improving economy of the country as well as state. It is a bitter truth that also adds to accidents on roads. The growing number of accidents is a cause of worry for all of us. The alarming rate of road mishaps in the state is an immense concern for everyone, within and outside the administration. Education is key method for avoiding accidents by adopting good practices.
The good news is that the number of death related to road accidents can be prevented and reduced. All sections of the society need to be involved in creating traffic awareness among people which include Govt./ Private schools and communities. Youth are great advocates they should ‘demand’ road safety laws in their communities, so that they can go to school/colleges and be safe. Youth can lobby and educate decision-makers and ask for road safety.
Keeping in the view the theme for “Road Safety Week” this time (When on road, always say “Pehle Aap”). In order to spread road safety awareness “Road Safety Week” is observed all over the country in the month of January every year.
Till now 24 such road safety weeks have been observed. The ensuing 25th Road Safety Week is being celebrated from 11th January to 17th January,2014.
Surface Transport ministry’s financial assistance upto Rs. five lakh is being provided to every state for organizing road safety related activities in school. These activities may include debate/painting and essay competition/rallies and other such events with token prizes/certificates and also, all the states may hold a symbolic “Walkathon” on Sunday,12th of January, 2014, in the morning hours. Involvement of all the concerned agencies like Police, Health, Information, Education etc. and other field agencies like Transport, Districts authorities, voluntary organizations etc. may be ensured in addition, a proactive enforcement drive during the week would underscore the seriousness about safety on roads.
The union minister for road transport and highways has assured that the ministry will set a target to bring down the road accident deaths by 50% in coming years and “vision zero” will be the goal. Govt. already launched six pilot projects for providing cashless treatment to road accident victims for first 48 hours at expenditure upto a limit of Rs. 30,000/- for different accident prone streaches on national highways in different states.
When on road, always say “Pehle Aap” is the theme of 25th road safety week. Chaos on the roads, lack of respect for traffic rules, aggresive driving and worst of all, road rage, have become the norm in Indian cities, not everyone who drives on city roads makes the effort diffuse tension- when it is not so difficult to do so. Because road rage has even led to murder, it is dangerous even for passers by to try and mediate between the warring parties.
Road rage usually strikes people with ego problem. Ego is often directly related to size of your vehicle, the bigger your vehicle, the bigger will be your ego. The car or bus becomes an extension of our ego- laden self. It obeys us instantly. As soon as we slide behind the steering wheel, we use the vehicle as a way to exercise control and experience a sense of achievement. I have often heard bus deivers shouting expletives at small cars for daring to overtake them” oye machchar, kuchaldoonga” ( Hey you masquito, I’ll squash you ) or “mere say panga leta hai, sabundani” ( Don’t mess with me, you soap box ) are a common refrain.
Why do we blow our top so frequently, especially on the road and during traffic jam? Although we can point to various reasons like poor road infrastructure, bad driving, getting late for appointments all leading to stress, the real reason is more deep-rooted. Why do we find it so difficult to be calm and compassionate? Where is the ‘Pehle Aap’ (you first) etiquette? The major ‘speed breaker’ here is your ego.
All drivers should be educated in the etiquettes of “Lakhnavi Tahjib” Every person driving a vehicle should follow the Principle ‘Pehle Aap’.This will prevent many avoidable accidents on road and save many precious lives and make journey less stressfull what can you do in your community is to raise awareness on road safety? We want hear your ideas, experiences,and the challenges you face when it comes to road safety.
(The author is KAS officer).
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