Sir,
This refers to the Editorial’SC on road accidents'( DE, Apr27, 2014).It is shocking to read that in our country, there is a serious road accident every minute and that one person dies in a road accident every four minutes.There is no doubt that these accidents are caused due to a variety of reasons such as careless and reckless driving on the part of the drivers, unsafe condition of roads, poor implementation of the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act, overloading,driving in an inembriated condition,etc.Whatever be the reason, the fact remains that road accidents, especially in the hilly terrains of our state take a heavy toll of life affecting a large number of families some of whom are doomed to live a life of abject poverty and destitution because of the passing away of the only bread winner of the family in such accidents.The order of the Supreme Court of India regarding the constitution of a 3- member committee to suggest measures for the prevention of road accidents and ensuring accountability will definitely help in the improvement of roads and prevention of accidents
There is an urgent need to take immediate measures on the part of the Government to prevent such fatal accidents.The condition of roads need to be improved and those contractors found guilty of using substandard material at the time of macdemization and blacktopping of roads should be heavily fined.The Traffic police and other law enforcement agencies need to work in tandem with Transport Department to sensitise the drivers and common people about the need of wearing helmets, avoiding use of mobiles, the dangers of overloading etc. to minimise the chances of accidents.
Those violating traffic rules should be heavily fined to prevent recurrence of such accidents.Licences, especially for driving in hilly areas need to be issued after thorough trials and tests.Wearing of helmets and seat belts need to be made mandatory for the drivers as well as passengers.Old passenger buses having expired life of engines should not be allowed to ply, especially in the hilly areas.Accident prone sites should be identified and parapet constructed to avoid accidents.Traffic police need to create awareness in the drivers as also the public regarding the need to obey traffic rules.All these steps, if implemented in letter and spirit,can go a long way in checking fatal road accidents and saving precious human lives.
Yours etc….
Ashok Sharma,
Flat No 4, Housing Colony,
Udhampur
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