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Design
and condition of roads and vehicles coupled with
road users' capacity and conduct are the major
factors behind road accidents. Certain
accidents occur despite best precautions because of
defective roads and difficult driving conditions or
hostile environment. Similarly, defective
vehicles' designs tend to accentuate road accident
probability. However, a substantial majority
of accidents occur due to human factors both on the
part of driver and other road users. The
incidence and probability of road accidents further
increase if there is a general disregard for traffic
safety norms. Needless to say violation of
traffic norms is not considered an amoral act by the
most road users in Delhi. Consequently,
driving on Delhi's roads is a nightmare for any sane
person.
Vehicular population in Delhi has been increasing at
a fast pace and the number of registered vehicles is
around 72 lakhs. Cars and two - wheelers
constitute about 94% of the total number of vehicles
registered in Delhi. Vehicles of all shapes
and sizes can be seen on Delhi's roads leading to a
'disconnect' between their speed and inherently
unsafe driving conditions prevail.
During the last few years, about 2000 lives have
been lost in road accidents every year on Delhi
Roads. The number of persons receiving
injuries is around 7000 per annum and many of them
get incapacitated for life. The loss of lives
and injuries in road accidents is unduly high and
the statistical decline seen during the recent past
gives us no cause for celebration.
The most disturbing aspect of road accidents is that
majority of the victims are in the productive phase
of their lives. It is estimated that over
60-65 percent of the road accident victims are in
the age group of 19 to 40 years. Youth,
notwithstanding their better physical and mental
reflexes, have a tendency to take risk, which
pitches them against traffic norms and makes them
vulnerable to road accidents.
Effective societal intervention is, therefore,
essential to create a respect for road safety.
Since a substantial majority of vehicles are
privately owned and are used for private
transportation, parents and teachers need to put
their best foot forward to create an aura of
morality for traffic norms. Commercial vehicle
drivers - a much maligned community being
responsible for a large number of accidents - can be
easily disciplined if traffic policemen are freed
from managing the private vehicles whose drivers /
riders tend to violate traffic norms at the first
opportunity. I am sure facebook readers will
contribute their might in this holy endeavour.
BHIM SAIN BASSI |