Open house: What steps should be taken to ensure safety of riders in public-private transport?
Passenger safety remains paramount
Governments worldwide have been concerned about the safety of individuals who travel on private or public transport. To enhance passenger safety, a two-pronged strategy is required. The first part involves competent government authorities promoting good driver behaviour by imparting appropriate training, rigorous scrutiny and stringent enforcement. They can also monitor driver compliance, impose heavy penalties for violations, and offer feedback mechanisms for complaints. Similarly, the authorities should encourage positive passenger behaviour by raising awareness about their rights and responsibilities while utilising private/public transport. On the other hand, travellers also must take precautions to ensure their safety, especially when travelling in an auto-rickshaw. Passengers should hire a reliable driver with good reputation for safe driving practices, and check the condition of the vehicle and its driver before starting the journey. It is advisable to sit in the back seat as it provides more space and security. Travelling alone at night, especially during the foggy winter, should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid prattling with the driver or unknown co-travellers. Women, if possible, must travel with a companion and keep a minimum of personal belongings to avoid theft. Additionally, it is crucial to stay alert and aware of the surroundings during the journey and upon reaching the destination. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the relevant authorities immediately.
Dr Kulwant Singh Phull
Passengers should be proactively cautious
Notwithstanding the fact that transport services have come up aplenty both in public and private sector, the security aspect of the passengers has not improved to that level. Often we come across reports of fare being overcharged or ugly incidents of rude behaviour by the operators meted out to passengers, especially the elderly and women. While violation of traffic rules and foul language of the drivers/conductors is not new, some of them plying vehicles recklessly under inebriated condition and playing indecent audio-video cassettes on board are serious issues. Repeated misdeeds of such drivers involving occasional molestation of woman travellers is indeed deplorable. The brutal incident of a woman being raped and strangled to death in Jalandhar by an auto driver has sparked serious safety concerns. While the sordid incident reflects the psyche of anti-social elements, it also points towards degeneration of morality in public life. Apparently, it is a blot on society, apart from being a stumbling block in the way of safe and secure travel. Still more discerning is the unplanned growth of auto operators in cities and that too without any scrutiny of the credentials of drivers/conductors. Currently, there is no control or methodology to ensure that such elements do not enter the transport sector. To have a check on such incidents, an appropriate mechanism needs to be set up by the administration so that no vehicle is allowed to operate without registration while the profile of drivers must be thoroughly probed before engagement. For any laxity in this regard, the owner of the private vehicle may be held accountable. Besides, pick-and-drop points invariably should be earmarked for various carriers to avoid traffic snarls. CCTV surveillance should be further strengthened for close monitoring. Moreover, intensive police patrolling on roads and mandatory GPS on all vehicles can be of big help to prevent untoward occurrences. On top of it, the passengers should also be proactively cautious in hiring autos or taxis for remote areas or secluded places. The government should tighten licensing regulations so that the applicants are granted licence after thorough verification. Alongside, stringent punishment is warranted to serve as a deterrent against uncivilised behaviour and inhuman acts of some operators. Such prudent measures undertaken in larger public interest are likely to thwart road crimes substantially.
Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath
Charge security fee, conduct checks
Public transport is an essential service for any city. All democracies in the world try to make this social asset an easily accessible and convenient service for the public. It is also one of the major revenue-generating areas. In small cities like Jalandhar, auto-rickshaws are one of the most efficient ways to travel without a private vehicle, but in recent times, many auto drivers and owners have been caught red-handed creating nuisance and disrupting peace and harmony, taking away the trust of many hardworking people and causing them inconvenience and a constant feeling of insecurity. To ensure the prevention of such disastrous situations again and to regain the trust of the common man, the government ought to ensure a complete and thorough background check. This is an important step towards reducing the crime rate in Punjab and improving peace in the region. An additional solution can be to take a security fee up to at least Rs 5,000 that can be refunded after two years of service to create a duration in which a worker is bound to work obediently for the sake of money and not turn towards the world of hideous crime. These steps along with an awareness campaign regarding the issue will be in the best interest of both the state and the people.
Lakshit Jindal
Register autos, monitor movement
It’s really a sorry state of affairs that untoward incidents take place involving auto-rickshaw drivers in criminal activities, creating a negative impact on others. Heinous crime committed by an auto-rickshaw driver where a young girl was killed in an isolated place and another incident where a DSP was murdered is distressing. If the DSP is not safe, think about the common man. Auto-rickshaw is the most convenient mode of transport for the common man. Not only auto-rickshaws, the drivers of other vehicles are also involved in incidents of crime. They do it because of their aggressive nature or under the influence of drugs. All the auto-rickshaws must be registered and have licence on the lines of Aadhaar card having their name and issuing date with photo. Police must be deployed at secluded and isolated places. Monitoring of movement at the crucial entry and exit points is required. Night vigil is must. Precautions must be taken and it is advisable for girls not to travel alone during night.
Shashi Kiran
Set up centralised control room with GPS
In the absence of a reliable and affordable public transport like e-buses and Metro in the city, the dependence of commuters on auto-rickshaw has increased manifold, necessitating a regulatory mechanism to ensure safe and speedy transportation. Of late, with the introduction of e-rickshaws, followed by their unregulated entry on roads, many new challenges have emerged before the city traffic managers. Foremost among them is ascertaining and conducting verification of drivers, both in respect of their driving skills and character credentials to the satisfaction of police authorities. While the driving licence is issued for a certain fixed period, personal/character verification of drivers should be done on an annual basis and proper records maintained to regulate their continuation in the profession. Further, the possibility of linking every rickshaw and taxis with a centralised control room through GPS can also be explored for controlling the traffic smoothly and to maintain security and safety of passengers.
Jagdish Chander
Create database of drivers in city
Recently, there has been a rise in crime by auto-rickshaw drivers and even taxi drivers who forcibly take passengers to a place other than their destination and subsequently demand a ransom for their release or sometimes even kill them. Such crimes are very serious but unfortunately, we don’t have a database of drivers who run their vehicles in the city. Neither of these drivers gives any receipt for the travelled distance so that their identity can be recognised. Once such incidents happen, the only way to identify them is through CCTV cameras, mobile phone traceability etc. There are many auto-wheeler associations in the city but do the local police have a database about them? Are these associations registered? Therefore, there are many questions that arise in the minds of travellers before they hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi. The need of the hour is to register the identity of each driver of a three-wheeler so that passengers’ confidence can be won and they feel secure while travelling by these autos or cars.
Harvinder Singh Chugh
Share drivers’ profile with cops
The cases of crime involving auto drivers are on the rise. This is worrisome. However, it can be checked by taking a slew of measures. The antecedents of auto drivers should be checked before issuing them licence. A database of the auto drivers should be maintained. Most auto drivers are often on the payroll of the owner of the vehicle. It should be made mandatory for the owner of the auto-rickshaws to keep a profile of the driver with him. They should also share it with the nearest police station as well. The wine shops from where auto drivers often buy stuff should also remain vigilant. They should note down the vehicle number of the driver before transacting any business with him. The public, especially the customers, should also perform their civic duty without any hesitation and fear. If they come across a driver whose behaviour raises suspicion, they should immediately bring it to the notice of the authorities. Remember, together we can arrest the wave of crime.
Rajan Kapoor, Nakodar
Let passengers share experiences of ride
There is no doubt that a passenger travelling in a cab or auto-rickshaw is in a vulnerable position. He or she hires and boards the vehicle entrusting their safety and security to the cabby. I am glad to say that this trust is hardly ever misplaced. Most drivers earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brow. However, crime committed by using a stolen vehicle is a different kettle of fish. All this is not to deny the importance of monitoring the background of those serving in public/private transport. Due consideration should be given to passengers reporting on the driving behaviour of the man behind the wheel. Similarly, passengers can report first hand if the driver is or was under the influence of liquor. The driver’s contact number should be available to passengers. But by and large, the licensed auto drivers of Amritsar are law abiding, though there are others who commit all sorts of traffic offences and deserve no sympathy or defence. The other day, I left my mobile in a cab and when I dialled my number from a different device, the voice at the other end was that of a policeman’s. He guided me to the place from where I could collect my phone. I think regular feedback from cab/auto users is the best way to keep a tab on drivers. Occasionally, appreciation letters should also figure in our responses.
Prof Mohan Singh
Loss of moral values worsening situation
The law and order situation in Punjab is worrisome. The reason for this is that people in our society have lost moral values which are inculcated by discipline and religion. Now, religion means going to attend big rallies arranged to achieve political ends, arranging big langar (community feasts) and donating money to religious places. There is no sympathy for the downtrodden, no respect for the elders and women. Everybody now wants to become rich quickly. The auto drivers are also a part of this society. These days, when our relatives and friends happen to come at night from other places and have to hail a taxi to reach their destination, we become worried. When women travel alone, we become worried about their safety. This is due to our loss of faith in the drivers of commercial vehicles as we frequently read news of rape and looting of passengers at night. There are some auto drivers who are already involved in some petty crime but have never been arrested by the police. Many a time, small crime incidents never get reported and even if they get reported, the police do not take them seriously. Though it is appropriate to verify the criminal record of a person before issuing driving licences, yet unless they become aware of their social/moral responsibility and self-discipline, crime incidents will not decline.
Prem Parkash Punj
Check criminal antecedents
The need for monitoring the background of persons serving in private and public transport has certainly arisen. This is because of the fact that persons with a criminal background have entered politics and public life. If the credentials of a person serving in this sector can be checked in advance then fake auto drivers and e-rickshaw drivers can be apprehended. For this purpose, the government should make it compulsory for all dealers of auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws to not sell their vehicles without obtaining a driving licence and identity card from their customers. They should be expected to get it done from the departments concerned for this purpose.
Sanjay Chawla
Question for next week
While the state government had created a special police force to streamline traffic and check road accidents, trauma and emergency services at health institutions are relatively poor. What steps should be taken by government medical establishments and trauma centres to match the standards set by “Sadak Surakhya Force”?
Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to jalandhardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (Feb 1)
