Rising road crash casualties
It has reached a crisis point
Death and injury in the road are a disturbingly regular phenomenon. Despite this, we are shocked to read a report published in this paper according to which about 600 people have been killed in road crashes in the last 43 days. This translates into 17 deaths a day, which is no less than a crisis that calls for remedial measures on an urgent basis.
Road crash involves multiple actors and, there is no denying, is a complex issue. From vehicles drivers to pedestrians, not to mention the traffic police, everyone has a fair share of blame in this ever growing menace. Flagrant violation of the basic traffic laws is the norm in the streets. It is even worse in the motorways where faulty road-designs and risky activities along the roads such as makeshift stalls and bazaars make the roads unsafe. On top of it all are unfit vehicles with headlights, tail-lights, side-view mirrors missing. And these jalopies are allowed to run long distances and are marshalled by motorists with near-nonexistent ideas on public safety, let alone traffic rules.
It is shocking that laws regulating vehicle control has not been updated in the last three decades. That it has not been amended even after so many casualties in the highways is pathetic. Licensing system, while being simplified, has to be made foolproof so as to ensure that potential drivers are fully skilled. The traffic police department has to punish errant motorists and unfit, overloaded vehicles. Road side bazaars have to be relocated and crossings secured.