Open House: Need to launch aggressive awareness drive on traffic rules
The UT must gear up to live up to its residents’ expectations. The Administration should pull up its sleeves to overcome previous shortcomings in preventing road accidents. Roads must be properly recarpeted before the monsoon season sets in to prevent mishaps. The rainwater drainage system should also be revamped. Moreover, the city’s ongoing transition towards electric vehicles must also be hastened.
Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh
Keep a check on drunk driving
It’s sad to know that a city like Chandigarh, which boasts of highly educated population, is witnessing high accidental deaths. The reasons are not far to seek. The timing of accidents and the age group of the culprits points towards young students studying in local and other institutions in the vicinity of the City Beautiful. They drink and drive vehicles at high speed. The police patrolling should be increased during nights. Young truck drivers are the other category who have to be controlled. Causing death by rash and negligent driving of vehicle and escaping should be non-bailable offence.
NPS Sohal, Chandigarh
Drivers need to take right turn properly
A large number of accidents occur when vehicles turning right do not stay on their left edge. A correct right turn would be a large semi- circle turn along the left edge of your road. Instead drivers take a shortcut and drive diagonally which brings them right in front of other vehicles turning left on the same road causing head on collision. This aspect needs to be included in the licence issue test at the Sector 23 park as well as traffic challans. Small dividers could be constructed and pillars installed to guide drivers while they take a right turn.
Col PS Gill (retd), Chandigarh
Regular checking of vehicles a must
To control road accidents in Chandigarh, the police have to take make efforts. Regular checking of vehicles and enforcement of traffic rules is the need of the hour. Installation of speed cameras at vital points and on roads prone to accidents could prevent speeding of vehicles. Drivers must wear helmets while driving two-wheelers and seatbelts while driving four-wheelers. The UT Administration should start awareness campaigns, undertake road safety audits and ensure improvement of road infrastructure. Saving lives on roads should be a mission of the police and the UT Administration.
Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), Kharar
Follow rules to avoid mishaps
Despite launching of various safety campaigns there has been a rise in the number of road accidents in Chandigarh. The Chandigarh traffic police have been busy for challaning people for not following rules and collecting revenue to complete fixed targets. But the basic responsibility of guiding, counselling and training drivers to follow traffic rules has been shunned by the police. Traffic police personnel are often deployed on crossings or roundabouts where traffic lights are functional to catch violators. But the same police personnel remain absent from points where traffic lights are non-functional and cause accidents. People must follow road rules like maintaining speed limits and not use cellphone while crossing traffic lights.
Wg Cdr JS Minhas (Retd), Mohali
Exemplary punishment for traffic violators
Roads must be repaired at regular intervals as potholes often cause accidents. Boards mentioning speed limits and traffic rules should be installed along main roads in the city. Old trees along roads must be pruned so that there is no obstruction in the movement of heavy vehicles. Exemplary punishment should be given to traffic rule violators. Roads repair work should not be undertaken in the day time. Policemen must be deputed at all light points/roundabouts when there is no power supply so as to prevent jams and accidents. Encroachments on roads should be cleared.
Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh
CCTV monitoring crucial in UT
To reduce accidents in Chandigarh, comprehensive CCTV monitoring is crucial. Alongside, regular public campaigns highlighting dangers of reckless driving should be initiated. Mandatory traffic rule education at the college and university levels is also necessary. When drivers understand the consequences of their actions, they are less likely to behave in a risky manner. Educating public and youth is the key to promote responsible driving and improving road safety across the city.
Vijay Katyal, Panchkula
Check underage driving, speeding
The traffic police should lay more nakas to check underage driving, speeding of vehicles and drunk driving, which are responsible for accidents in the City Beautiful. Use of mobile phones while driving should be checked and heavy fines be imposed on violators. Jumping of red light by drivers has to be stopped. Awareness on safe driving by following rules on a road can also reduce accidents. The police have to strictly deal with auto-rickshaw drivers who stop their vehicles anywhere on road.
Prof HS Dhanoa, Chandigarh
Enforce traffic rules strictly
Speeding, driving on wrong side and using mobile phones while driving are the primary causes of road accidents. Additional deployment of the traffic police personnel at the key strategic locations in pairs armed with walkie-talkie sets will lend them the capability to flag down all violators of traffic rules on the spot. It’s not only digital challans, but also admonishing of defaulters in full public view, will serve as a deterrent to the general public.
Brig Advitya Madan, Chandigarh
Introduce speed control zones
To curb the rising road fatalities in Chandigarh, the Administration and the police could introduce dynamic speed control zones using smart technology to adjust limits based on real-time traffic conditions. They might also impart more interactive road safety education via AR at traffic signals, where drivers learn while waiting. Enhancing road design with visible, tactile lane markers and mandatory helmet and seatbelt checks at city entry points could significantly reduce accidents.
Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali
Engage community via street plays
To further address the increasing road fatalities in Chandigarh, the UT Administration could develop a behaviour-changing app that rewards safe driving with redeemable points at local businesses, fostering positive driving habits. Community engagement through street plays or flash mobs in the high-traffic areas can educate public entertainingly about following traffic rules. Tech-enhanced rule enforcement with AI cameras could not only catch violators, but also provide real-time feedback to drivers. Improving public transport to decrease private vehicle reliance involves better metro connections, more bike-sharing and pedestrian-friendly routes with safety enhancements. Road safety should be integrated in school curriculums with VR or simulators. Training community volunteers in first aid could lead to quicker accident scene response. Lastly, using data analytics to identify and redesign accident-prone areas would ensure targeted and effective interventions.
Amanjot Kaur, Mohali
Implement AI-driven surveillance
To curb road fatalities, the UT Administration should enforce stricter penalties for traffic violations and implement AI-driven surveillance for real-time detection of rule-breakers. Regular driver re-education programmes and mandatory defensive driving workshops can improve traffic rule awareness. Creating dedicated lanes for two-wheelers and pedestrians, coupled with smart traffic management systems, will ensure safer commuting. Additionally, organising community-driven initiatives, such as reward system for safe driving, can evince responsible behaviour from road users.
Gurdev Singh, Mohali
Multi-faceted approach crucial
To curb rising road fatalities, the UT Administration and the police must implement stringent measures. These include installing AI-powered traffic signals, enhancing street lighting and introducing intelligent speed cameras. Additionally, regular vehicle inspections, stricter licensing norms, and community-led road safety initiatives can help reduce accidents. A multi-faceted approach is crucial to ensure road safety in Chandigarh.
Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali
‘Ghost’ bikes at accident spots
To curb rising road fatalities in Chandigarh, the UT Administration and the police should implement innovative measures. This could include “ghost bikes” at accident-prone spots to deter reckless driving, a “Road safety ambassadors” programme involving youth in awareness drives, a “Red light challenge” encouraging citizen reporting of violations, and “Safe streets audits” by residents to identify and report hazardous road conditions. These measures, coupled with strict enforcement of traffic rules, could significantly contribute to reducing road accidents in Chandigarh.
Sahibpreet Singh, Mohal
Conduct Audits of accident-prone spots
To reduce road fatalities, the UT Administration and the police should enhance CCTV surveillance, enforce stricter penalties for traffic violations, and implement regular third-party audits of the accident-prone areas. Additionally, promoting the use of public transport, creating dedicated lanes for cyclists and organising community-driven road safety workshops can foster a culture of responsible driving and pedestrian safety.
Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali
Intelligent traffic management systems
To reduce road accidents, the Chandigarh Administration and police should implement traffic laws vigorously through increased surveillance and penalties. Intelligent traffic management systems, such as AI-based monitoring and speed cameras, can help deter violations. Road engineering improvements, like better lighting, signage, and pedestrian crossings, are crucial. Public awareness campaigns focusing on helmet use, seat belts and drunk driving must intensify. Additionally, strict vehicle fitness checks and safer public transport are essential.
Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh
Increase police presence on roads
Road fatalities remain a pressing concern in Chandigarh. Besides road safety awareness campaigns, proactive measures are vital for road fatalities to drop. First and foremost, increased police presence on roads can significantly help in combating road casualties. The mere sight of them has drivers on their toes. Increased fines and penalties is yet another effective measure. Heavy fines pose as a strong deterrent. Installing more CCTV cameras to monitor random checkpoints will help in decreasing accidents. Most importantly, those behind wheels need to be extremely vigilant themselves so as to make roads safe for everyone.
Parul Bakshi, Chandigarh
Sadak Surakhya Force initiative in UT
Accidents do not happen, they are caused and to reduce them and the damage caused to life and limbs, the evil has to be nipped in the bud with zero tolerance to violation of rules and regulations. Where self-regulation fails, forced compliance becomes inevitable. To minimise fatalities, Punjab’s Sadak Surakhya Force initiative needs to be emulated in Chandigarh.
Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula
Adhere to safe motor driving habits
Precious lives lost in road accidents are cause of concern for every citizen. This warrants all strong measures to reduce road fatalities. Volunteers from NGOs, NSS and NCC can be enrolled to educate general public on the road safety. One of the major cause of road accidents is speeding. As Chandigarh is a small city, the vehicle speed must be fixed at 50 km/hour here. Individuals have the moral responsibility to adhere to safe motor driving habits for the sake of their own safety and fellow citizens.
Vijay Shukla, Chandigarh
Proactive policy can save lives
Road are to be equipped with requisite safety features like proper lighting, sufficient parking and traffic signals wherever required. Sufficient CCTV cameras must be installed on roads. Requisite traffic police personnel must be deployed to check speeding. Above all, there is a need to conduct road safety awareness programmes for citizens. Fatal road accidents leave behind totally shattered families of the deceased. Many precious lives can be saved with a proactive policy of the government and attentive attitude of vehicle drivers.
Sanjay Chopra, Mohali
Install Traffic signals at T-points
Everyday a lot of people get injured and killed in road accidents. These accidents occur mainly due to negligence of drivers, lenient traffic rules, drunken driving and last but not the least poor road conditions. The UT Administration should build new and safer roads sans black spots or dangerous junctions. The use of seat belts on rear seats must be made compulsory. Traffic signals must be installed at all T-points and rotaries to prevent chaos and crashes. Also, the police ought to be stricter in enforcement of the traffic rules. There should be strict vehicle checking in middle of the night when crimes and road rage are at peak.
Dr Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh
Educate youth on road safety
There is steep hike in number of accidents in the UT. Rash and negligent driving quite often under the influence of intoxicants coupled with use of smartphones is normal lifestyle of today’s youngster. These factors are major cause of fatal accidents. Challaning drivers of speeding vehicles at night would reduce number of fatalities. Younger generation has to be educated on road discipline. Initiative by law enforcing agencies would definitely imbibe fear and evince responsible attitude among citizens of the City Beautiful.
Charu Malhotra, Mohali
Distraction causes 90% road mishaps
Driver error contributes to over 90 per cent of road accidents. Distracted driving though it is a recognised issue, it is becoming increasingly worse. Drivers get distracted when they text or talk on cellphones, or eat or drink while driving vehicles. The main causes of road accidents are speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances, non-use of helmets, seat belts and child restraints, unsafe road infrastructure and vehicles.
SC Dhall, Zirakpur
Pedestrians must use zebra crossing
Why can’t the UT Administration asks vehicle manufacturers to fit speed governors in each and every vehicle irrespective of its segment. Patrolling by police personnel should be increased in the night as youngsters drive their vehicles at high speed. Last but not the least more CCTV cameras should be installed at accident-prone spots. Also, pedestrians should be strictly instructed to use zebra crossing while crossing road. Cyclists must use cycle tracks. Those flouting these norms should be challaned.
Savita Kuthiala, Chandigarh
Dedicated lanes for pedestrians
Enhancement of public transport can reduce the number of private vehicles on roads. Adaptive traffic signals and real-time monitoring can optimise traffic flow and reduce congestion. Dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists should be created, along with crosswalks to protect vulnerable road users. Laws such as maintaining speed limits and seatbelt use must be strictly enforced by the police. Proper lights on roads can enhance visibility and reduce accidents at night.
Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar
More nakas near schools
There has been an alarming increase in road fatalities in Chandigarh. Rash driving, underage driving, driving without helmet, jumping traffic lights and wrong side driving are the main causes of road accidents in the UT. The police have to increase vigilance to catch habitual offenders. Heavy fines must be imposed on violators. More nakas must be laid, especially near schools, to check underage driving by children.
Col KJ Singh (retd), Chandigarh
Question for next week
The city’s sculptures in Leisure Valley are in a state of neglect. What steps should the Chandigarh Administration take to ensure their proper upkeep and maintenance?
Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com
