Deal with iron hand to put brakes on speeding vehicles

Are police doing enough to check speeding vehicles?

There is no denying the fact that despite tall claims of the police regarding enough measures to prevent road mishaps in the city, there appears to be no let up in the growing menace. These recurring incidents reflect the shoddy functioning of the police force. Hefty fines on traffic violators too have failed to bring the desired outcome. Revamp the police force by sensatising them about the enormity of the situation. Weather-beaten roads should be made user friendly. Automated mechanisms to track rogue driving must be deployed. Patrolling needs to be augmented during the night and in the wee hours. Stringent action/punishment, including confiscation of driving licences of those indulging in rash driving, would go a long way in minimising the menace. More importantly, residents, especially youths, need to be sensitised about adhering to rules of the road.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

Severe punishment for violators

The worst part of such unfortunate accidents is that drivers hit bikers or pedestrians and run away from accident spots leaving behind victims, who face demons of death. Do they have no value for human lives? Can they run away if the victim is from their own family? They should be awarded severe punishment than a person, who surrenders himself or herself after hitting a person. We must follow traffic rules and avoid speeding. The police undertake excessive patrolling in their area to check speeding, signal jumping or drunken driving. CCTV cameras with night vision must be installed on all accident prone spots. No trucks and other vehicles should be parked on roadside. Speed breakers may also be constructed in the populated areas. All dark spots must be illuminated.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Use latest gadgets to catch speedsters

Despite the fact that rash driving is a serious problem, current methods of its detection by patrol officials lacks efficiency. The number of patrol officials is far from enough to observe and analyse every driver’s behavior. In the present system, the police use a handheld radar gun to record speed of the vehicle. A lot of time is wasted in this process. With the number of vehicles increasing day-by-day, this method cannot be trusted. The police must use gadgets to control rash driving. A wide range of sensor technologies, including inductive loops, video, ultrasonic and radar based, are available. The police can provide their services while sitting in control room with more ease and accuracy if they use the latest technology.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Need preventive and not punitive methods

More and more people are losing lives on the tricity roads in accidents caused by speeding vehicles. The helpless and innocent lives could be saved if the police were alert to check speeding, dangerous and rough driving. The police are interested only in issuing challans. Can Rs 10,000 or more fine for speeding compensate for a life lost? The approach of the police should be preventive and not punitive. The answer is no. Due to this, the violators are not being deterred to bring into discipline. The police must put more efforts to check speeding by increasing surveillance on roads. Driving licence should of violators be cancelled. Such violators should be made to pay heavy compensation to victims or their families, 10 times the insurance premium, besides awarding imprisonment.

Capt Amar Jeet Kumar, Mohali

Masses should realise the value of life

Government can frame policies, rules and regulations. The police can take action for non compliance of such rules. It’s duty of citizens to abide by rules. Masses should adopt a positive and healthy approach towards traffic rules. The police can issue challans, put hefty fine, send violators behind bars, but what about the life lost in an accident. The traffic police need to adopt a friendly approach while dealing with commuters. Drivers flee as soon as they are waved by traffic police officials to stop. Their harsh, rude and unfriendly image has engulfed commuters’ minds. Awareness camps should be organised to educate people about traffic rules. Electronic media can be used for educating masses.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Install CCTVs at every 200 metres

Deaths on roads due to hit-and-run cases have become order of the day. This is only due to rash and drunken driving. Round-the-clock working CCTV cameras should be installed at every 200 metres to nab such culprits on the tricity roads. Life-term punishment should be awarded to violators. It will bring down the number of accidents.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

City police are efficient

The police are doing its duty. Cyclists and pedestrians at fault. Both are victims in most accidents. It’s not possible for the police to stand on every road and crossings. The Chandigarh Police is efficient force. It is just a call away. The Panchkula and Mohali police need to follow Chandigarh to make roads safe for driving in their respective areas.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

Staff shortage has increased menace

Although the police are doing their duty effectively, number of accidents is increasing in the city. The role of the police is not to slap fine on commuters. It’s main work is to teach or guide the people about rules and regulations. Many policemen are not fully aware of the rule book. We see many times cops are not following rules. The shortage of staff has overburdened the force and hampered effective discharge of duties.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Number of vehicles to be blamed

The spurt in road accidents is because the number of vehicles is more than the tricity population. Chandigarh alone has over 12 lakh vehicles for a population of 11.5 lakh. There is no doubt that drunken driving and speeding are also the reasons for the surge in road accidents. Jaywalking on main avenues by pedestrians is also a reason for them becoming victims of accidents. Citizens do not use designated zebra crossing on roads. Another reason is that city residents run on a short fuse. People indulge in speeding and road rage the moment they are struck in a traffic jam. Citizens should be encouraged to use public transport and shared taxis. Car pooling should be encouraged. Parking charges need to be enhanced. Metro rail network should be started on priority. Increase road tax on new vehicles. Moreover, allow sale of vehicle only if the purchaser certifies that he/she has enough parking space. The key to reducing accidents is to enhance awareness about rules and safety measures. Less cars, safer roads, fewer accidents and healthy citizens will form a ‘Swasth Bharat Swachh Bharat’.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Cops can’t be everywhere 24X7

Human error leads to maximum road accidents. A traffic fatality leaves behind a distressing tale of woes for the kith and kin. Speeding is latently suicidal. It thrills but kills or makes vehicle-control difficult and the impact deadly in case of a collision. Careless overtaking or lane-jumping and poor visibility due to fog or inadequate illumination add fuel to the fire. Any voluntary or forced speed control is the fool-proof remedy to minimise accidents. Strict adherence to traffic rules is a tried and tested joy forever. A road is no place for vulgar display of affluence by drunken brats. Regular announcements should be made to remind people about traffic rules. While on road, self regulation/precaution is the key, which comes only with sustained inputs and example during the formative years of our youth at home or in schools. The police cannot be everywhere round-the-clock. Onus lies on all of us.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Regular check needed on roads

Accidents are happening regularly on tricity roads. Maximum fatal accidents happen due to speeding, red light jumping and drunken driving. The police must check these factors to curb accidents and increase human safety. Regular and surprise checks in the tricity can deter violators of traffic rules. Illumination of dark spots is another grey area to be taken care for accident free driving in the tricity.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Minhas (retd) Mohali

Police only focus on seat belts, helmets

The police are solely focused on whether seat belts or helmets have been worn by commuters or not. Seat belts or helmets are solely for individual’s safety. Not wearing helmet or seat belt does not endanger third party whereas speeding vehicle has wider implication, which is oftern dangerous. Zig-zag driving and wrong overtaking also call for police action. The police need be dedicated and strategic in performance of their duty.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

School authorities can play vital role

Truly the graph of road accidents is soaring in the tricity. Both drunken driving as well as speeding are equal contributors to the issue. Teenagers are the ones, who indulge in drunken driving and speeding. In my opinion, the Chandigarh Police are doing their duty properly. Every time, we can’t blame the police or the government for an accident. We should grow as responsible citizens as well as responsible drivers. Charity begins at home. So, these young drivers should be guided and advised by their parents to drive safely. They should realise that their life is precious. Even the school authorities can address to this social issue by organising seminars, lectures and competitions to sensitize the younger generation about the issue. As far as the police are concerned, they should be more vigilant about regular offenders and the government should get more strict regarding the traffic rules. Offenders’ driving licences should be suspended and in dire emergencies even terminated. On the whole only a change of heart can bring the number of road accidents down.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Don’t loose cool while driving

Ever increasing number of road accidents is indeed worrisome. One shudders to think how unsafe our roads are! Rash and reckless driving is the bane. Road discipline is the panacea of this problem. The police alone cannot curb it. The only tangible solution is to educate and instil road safety measures in minds of young drivers. Mobilise people and generate awareness. Be humane and stay calm while driving.

Veena Mahajan, Chandigarh

Speeding is not the only reason

We cannot blame the UT traffic police for anything and everything wrong that happens on city roads. Accidents happen not because of reckless driving or speeding by some young and impatient drivers, but due to drunken driving, potholed roads, poor visibility in foggy weather, protruding tree branches and ill-illuminated stretches. Not painting road dividers with flouroscent paints also affects the visibility at night. Let us all road users do our bit by following traffic rules and also departments concerned do their part by making city roads fit for safe driving. Presently, the UT Police Department is doing what it can, but by posting more personnel on its pay rolls at houses of the VIPs and politicians to do errands. By utilising its manpower properly the city police will be able to put some sort of check on road accidents.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Police have to be alert and firm

Speeding, particularly during the late night hours in Chandigarh, has increased, leading to fatal accidents. Youths easily take to drinks and drugs and become aggressive on roads. Lack of self discipline is another cause for speeding. Connected with it is no fear of the police, and parents. Both, need to be sensitive towards this growing menace and exercise their responsibilities. The police have to be more alert and firm. The police must have adequate presence even at night to nab culprits. All the PCRs must be inter-connected. Here comes the importance of moral education in schools and colleges and counsellors. Teenagers should not be given vehicles by their parents. We as responsible citizens must contribute to make Chandigarh safe for driving by checking people, who indulge in rash driving and speeding in front of our houses and in streets. We must inform the the nearest PCR van. You have to put the fear of law in minds of habitual offenders, who create a terror on roads at night.

Madhu RD Singh, Ambala

No value for human life

The New Year has begun with fatal road mishaps. The worst part is that drivers speed away after hitting bikers or pedestrians leaving them injured and die. Seems they do not have no value for humanity. Reckless driver must understand that they cannot escape for long. Given the ever increasing number of vehicles on city roads, there is certainly an urgent need of scientific management of the traffic. There should be a stricter punishment those drivers, who flee after hitting people with their vehilces. Above all there is need to change the attitude of drivers. People present at the accident spot are the eyes of the police. They must cooperate with the traffic police.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Impose hefty fines on violators

Today, we choose the fastest mode of commuting. Everyone is in a rush to reach his/her destination. Safety on road is important not only for drivers, but fellow commuters too. Safe driving is a thing of past. One can easily say that city roads are full of idiots. With the number of vehicles rising sharply over the past decade driving in the city has become stressful especially during the rush hours. Further, people have become more obstinate. They deny the right of way to a vehicle in a hurry even if it’s an ambulance. In most hit-and-run cases, drivers flee from the scene. Precious lives are lost due to negligence of drivers. The Motor Vehicle Act should be implemented strictly. Latest devices should be installed at busiest points in the city to check speeding. Road users safety lies in following traffic rules.

BM Dhawan, Chandigarh

Public too equally responsible

Agreed, most road accidents occur due to drunken/rash driving and other traffic violations, but we blame the police for inefficiency. We don’t realise that the public especially pedestrians and cyclists are equally responsible for not using tracks laid for the purpose. Public should be made aware of crossing roads only at designated spots and use overhead foot bridges where provided. The authorities must create pedestrian crossings duly painted with zebra stripes and signage to caution drivers. The biggest irony is that accident offence is bailable. To make it more stringent it should be non-bailable. To curb mishaps police patrolling should be intensified. Cops presence will deter the public from violating traffic rules.

SS Arora, USA

Police should do their duty sincerely

Small vehicle riders must drive carefully because mostly they are the victims of fatal accidents. The main reason of accidents is that drivers talk on mobiles while speeding. If involved in an accident driver should not run from the spot. It becomes his/her moral duty to rush victim to the nearest hospital so that precious life can be saved. We cannot blame the police force solely. Of course, the police should perform their duties sincerely by checking rash driving. This is a criminal act and violators should be penalised severely.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Police should aim at reducing accidents

Most fatal accidents happen due to speeding, jumping red lights, not wearing helmets and using mobile phones while driving. Cyclists do not have reflectors on their cycles and motorists don’t use dipper at night. Besides the police, traffic marshalls should create awareness amongst students and the general public to adhere to rules. The number of deaths in Chandigarh has reduced from 151 to below hundred in 2019. The police should aim to further reduce this number.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

Police doing enough to check speeding

Police officials hold respectable and responsible position in society. Lawbreakers play with innocent lives as they go scot free after bribing dishonest officials. Hit-and-run cases are on the rise in the tricity. Drivers are least bothered to help victims reach hospitals on time. There is a need to arouse humanity and kindness in minds of the people. Death or serious injury due to accidents should not be classified as homicide, but murder and nonbailable offence. Awareness and fear of law in minds of youngsters and constructive role by the public, te police and media can save precious lives and make road journey safer.

Charu Malhotra, Chandigarh

Counselling in schools can help

Everyday many people get injured or killed in road accidents, which occur mainly due to negligence and carelessness of drivers, lenient traffic rules and drunken driving. Stern laws, which entail hefty fines, revocation of license and prosecution as criminal offence can check drunken driving. The police should be tough with underage drivers. Parents should exercise control over their children. Counselling at schools is must for students. Hefty fines for speeding, not wearing helmet and using mobile while driving can curb rash driving to some extent. Behavioural counselling can change mindset of the people. Education and media can enhance community awareness, understanding casual factors and real costs of road crashes.

Dr Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh

There is no fear of law

Off late, drivers of vehicles have lost the fear of law. They often break traffic rules and try to get away. This has increased recently due to heavy fines. The police should be equipped with sophisticated communication system to immediately alert all PCR vehicles in order to catch the offenders. Cops should be provided good vehicles to chase and apprehend offenders. Roads and spots where speeding is often reported should be covered with CCTVs. Once caught, vehicles of drivers indulging in speeding should be impounded and their licences be cancelled, besides imposition of heavy fine. No interference by officials or politicians should be entertained by cops. Parents need to guide and educate their children about safe driving and not indulge in speeding of vehicles. Extensive awareness campaigns to apprise people about harms and disadvantages of speeding should be launched. We all citizens need to understand our responsibility and avoid speeding.

Col KJ Singh (retd), Chandigarh

Traffic police must control speeding

Many people indulge in speeding and put their loved ones in danger. The traffic police must control this menace. The police should put up nakas on all roads throughout the day to check speeding. Hidden cameras should be installed on streetlights and monitored by the police to check traffic violations. Speed radars with better technology should be installed on all major roads. People should be imparted moral education. People should be given lessons in driving and traffic rules before approving their licenses to drive. Speed limit boards should be installed on all roads. Hefty fines should be slapped on the people, who speed vehicles.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh