Speed thrills but kills on road to nowhere

Speeding under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the use of smartphones while driving have become normal these days.  The lack of  patience while waiting for the green signal and occupying slip roads have made commuting an arduous task. Policemen, too, aren’t safe. A smart traffic light system and the installation of CCTV cameras will help check traffic violations besides ensuring road safety.

Arshinder Malhotra

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Multi-pronged approach need of the hour

In  the absence of adequate public transport facilities in the tricity, people have been forced to use personal conveyance, resulting in traffic snarls on city  roads. In 2018, Chandigarh witnessed 98 fatal road accidents. The tally was almost the same for Panchkula and Mohali. The major factor  contributing to road fatalities is the unprecedented growth in traffic. Drunken driving, jumping of traffic signals and rash driving have added to the problem. Therefore, a multi-pronged approach is required to check traffic violations. The government must strengthen the public transport system. The traffic police and other agencies concerned must instill the fear of penalty among the violators. Driving licences of habitual offenders should be impounded.

SS Arora, Mohali

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Install CCTV cameras

The City Beautiful has a population of over 10.6 lakh. Interestingly, the number  of vehicles registered with the RLA exceeds the population count. The  Chandigarh Police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. The general public, especially the students, are being educated about road safety. Measures have been taken against drunken driving and speeding. The need of the hour is to install CCTV cameras at vulnerable points. 

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

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Give harsh punishment

Rash and negligent driving, often under the influence  of some intoxicant, and the use of smartphone while driving, are major causes of fatal road accidents. Death due to a road accident is classified as  homicide not amounting to  murder. It is treated as a bailable offence. The suspect is normally booked under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC. The maximum punishment is two years. It  is inadequate. The law should be amended to make the punishment harsher. It would help reduce the number of fatalities. 

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

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Dark spots should be well lit, shun lethargy  

The lethargic attitude of the traffic police has failed to bring the desired result. The police act only when rapped by the court or exposed by the media. The tricity police, which is well-equipped with the latest technology, needs to be more alert. Dark spots should be well  lit and CCTV cameras should be installed there. People should inform the police about traffic violators. 

AS Ahuja, Chandigarh

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Commuters lack discipline

Drunken driving and speeding are major causes of mishaps. The lack of discipline among commuters is the third biggest reason behind the mishaps. The need is to make people obey the rules. Driving in the wrong lane should be curbed. 

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

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Patience missing 

Besides rash and drunken driving, the lack of patience among commuters is also responsible for a spurt in road mishaps. Many commuters, especially youngsters, can’t wait for the traffic lights to turn green. The traffic police, too, have failed to hold regular nakas to check violations. 

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

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Curb underage driving 

Chandigarh is full of students from rich families, which leads to a problem like drunken driving. It is sad that we are losing lives on the roads. Most accidents take place in the night. Adding to the problem is the lack of fear of the police and parents. Parents and cops need to fulfil their responsibilities. The police should be vigilant round the clock. Here, the role of moral education becomes important. Teenagers should not be given vehicles and encouraged to stay away from intoxicants. 

Col  RD Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt 

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Hold awareness programmes

Rash driving is a major cause of accidents. Drunken driving also adds to the number of fatal accidents. The indifferent attitude of the youth towards proper driving leads to  accidents. To check drunken driving, vigil needs to be stepped up. Vehicles of traffic violators should be impounded and heavy penalty should be imposed on them. Regular inspection should be carried out to check road mishaps. Awareness programmes should be organised to dissuade people from indulging in rash and negligent driving. 

Bhupinder S Sealopal, Mohali

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Hold surprise checks

Nowadays,  road accidents are common in the tricity. Drunken driving and speeding are major reasons of it. The traffic police in the tricity can also be blamed for this. They should conduct surprise checks. They should take strict action against those indulging in rash and drunken driving. 

S Gulati, Chandigarh 

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Alarming situation

The situation is alarming in the wake of a spurt in road mishaps in the tricity. Each fatal accident has its own peculiarity. Speeding emerged as the leading cause of deaths. As many as 2,540 persons were killed in 2018. Many other factors such as faulty road design and drunken driving are also causing fatalities. In  all fairness, the authorities concerned must rise to the occasion and adopt zero tolerance towards traffic violations to reduce mishaps. 

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula 

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Use technology, act immediately

The  city traffic police are doing enough to check drunken driving and speeding but still road accidents are taking place. Unfortunately, we are not following the rules. Vehicles can be seen parked close to boards prohibiting parking. The traffic police seem to be incapable of keeping the violators in the check. In the present circumstances, the hike in fine seems to be the only option for the authorities concerned. To check the violation of traffic rules, the police should use technology and act against the violators immediately. People should also show the spirit of accommodation and cooperation. 

Sukhpal Singh 

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Behave responsibly

Drunken driving as well as speeding are adding to fatalities. Every time, we can’t blame the police or the authorities. We should act as responsible citizens. Young drivers should be advised to  drive safely. They should realise that their lives are precious. Even schools can hold seminars, lectures or competitions to spread awareness regarding the issue. The police should be more vigilant. Driving licences of the offenders should be cancelled. 

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

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Install speed sensors 

The  recent spurt in road accidents in the tricity is a wake up call for commuters as well as the traffic police. “Speed thrills but kills”, goes the common saying. When driving is mixed with drinking, the results are catastrophic. Speed limits should be displayed at intervals. Sensors to measure the speed of a vehicle should be installed. Adequate  lighting is a must. Awareness campaigns against  speeding and drunken driving should be launched. 

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

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Stem corruption for good results

Drunken  driving can lead to a tragedy. Corruption in our system prevents strict implementation of the rules. Things can be set right if the authorities work firmly. As long as corruption is there, there can be no  safety. We are wasting time in discussions.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh 

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Increase in vehicles to blame for fatalities

The spurt in road accidents is due to an increase in the number of vehicles. Chandigarh alone has 11.6 lakh vehicles for a  population of 11.2 lakh, of which 40 per cent are less than 18 years of age. There is no doubt that drunken driving and speeding are the reasons behind the surge in mishaps. To check fatalities and injuries in road accidents, residents should be encouraged to use the public transport system. Carpooling should be encouraged. Parking charges need to be enhanced. The Metro project should be initiated. Road tax on vehicles should alos be increased. Vehicles older than 15 years should be de-registered. Commercial vehicles should be asked to pay the entry tax for Chandigarh. This will indirectly encourage the use of the public transport. 

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

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Lack of policing   

There is no denying the fact that road accidents are on the rise. Speeding and drunken driving are indeed two major contributors to these. All this happens just because the fear of the traffic police is waning. 

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

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Hold interactive sessions

Hardly a day goes by without the news of a fatal accident in the tricity. Drunken driving and speeding, along with rash and underage driving, are claiming lives. The  police need to be on alert, particularly during night hours. Speed barriers and nakas should be erected to prevent traffic violations and fatal accidents. People should also be made aware of traffic rules. Interactive sessions can be held in this regard by the police and the NGOs across the tricity. 

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

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Check carelessness 

Everyday, a large number of people are killed in road mishaps. These accidents occur mainly due to negligence and carelessness of drivers. Poor roads, drunken driving and laxity in the implementation of the rules add to fatalities in road accidents. Stern action should taken against drunken driving and heavy fine should be imposed on those indulging in it. For safe roads, it is not only the residents who should follow the rules but the authorities concerned should also act responsibly. New and safer roads should be built. Black spots should be identified. The use of seat belts by those occupying the rear seat should be made compulsory. Traffic signals must be installed at all T-points  and rotaries in order to prevent traffic chaos. The police ought to  be more strict in the enforcement of traffic rules. No offender should go unpunished. 

Dr Shruti K Chawla,Chandigarh

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Lead disciplined life

Although drunken driving is one of the reasons behind road accidents, yet speeding is the bigger culprit. Indiscipline caused road mishaps. People can often be seen in a rush to reach their destination, flouting traffic rules in a bid to make up for the lost time. People should imbibe discipline in their lives to avoid speeding. 

Capt Jagdish Verma (retd), Chandigarh 

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QUESTION  

The tricity has witnessed a sudden increase in the population of stray dogs. Incidents of dog-bite are  also on the rise. What do you think is the solution? Do you think the authorities  are  doing enough to solve the problem? 

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]