Stringent laws, timely action will serve the purpose

In order to keep the roads safe, first of all, no construction work should be done without barriers. No digs should be left unhandled. The roads should be made from good material so that there is no requirement of early repairing of roads. Potholes should be repaired and patchwork should be done as early as possible to avoid accidents. Cemented roads should be made as they are more durable and weather efficient. Roadways officers should be appointed so that they can keep a regular check on the roads. Dividing barriers should be used on heavy traffic roads. Road safety campaigns should be organised by various NGOs to make people aware. Neon road highlighters should be installed at distant places which glow at night. Manholes should be closed in the rainy season to avoid any kind of accidents. Proper drainage system should be introduced in India like foreign countries to avoid overflow of water and other related problems. 

Komal Beri

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Conduct drug test before issuing licence

Road accidents are the most tragic thing to happen to road users but are very common in the city. Major causes of accidents are due to human errors such as using mobile phones while driving, over speeding, drunken driving, red light jumping, not wearing safety gears such as seat belts and helmets. Damaged roads, overcrowded places, giving vehicles to minors are also responsible for accidents. We often see that truck drivers and bus drivers consume drugs while driving on long routes and play with passengers' lives. There are many cases where drug addicts use cars and vehicles for snatchings and robbery in order to satisfy their needs. These drug addicts not only destroy their lives but also the lives of others. The government should make it compulsory to conduct a drug test before issuing licence. This test should be conducted at regular intervals. Moreover, parents should keep an eye on their children and should not encourage or teach them to driving when they are minors. The government should also fix speed limits for each vehicle. Speed limits should be marked on suitable places at different roads. Hazardous and damaged roads lead to accidents. The government should check and repair the roads on regular basis.  

Ritu Priya

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Need to start an initiative to make roads safe

Have you ever spotted a speeding car without a care for the traffic signal? Ever spotted a person rushing to the other side of the road when the traffic light is green? Ever seen bikers use pavements as roads to save a few minutes? Ever seen cars change lanes on highways or rush hour traffic on a whim? Well, so have thousands of other Indians. There is a need to start an initiative to bring together lawmakers, local authorities, traffic police and citizens under one umbrella to make roads safe. Politicians and policymakers often have the solutions to safer streets, yet lack the political will to create meaningful change. Road safety risks have been increased because of the driver distraction due to the use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving. Some effective measures of road safety are like basic awareness about vehicle, defensive driving according to weather and road conditions, use of vehicle lights and horn, wearing seat belts, well use of vehicle mirrors, avoid over-speeding, understanding road lights, maintaining distance of vehicle on road, proper understanding of handling crisis situation, telecast of awareness documentaries on TV etc.

Manpreet Kaur

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Re-carpeting of roads should be done on time

The roads need to be improved as whenever rain comes, it brings back the miseries of residents in the city. After the recent rains, the condition of city roads turned from bad to worse. Residents are vexed with bumpy rides on these roads. Potholes greet them as soon as they step out of their homes. Many times, people lost balance and fell when their two-wheelers hit a pothole. Another major problem is that whenever rain comes, the garbage thrown on the roads blocks the drainage system, which further damaged the roads. Delay in re-carpeting of roads also cause inconvenience to residents. The authorities concerned must make sure that re-carpeting work is done on time so that residents don't have to face such harassment.

Sukhpreet Singh Alag

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Be extra vigilant while driving vehicles 

Road safety has become a real public health challenge for all the authorities concerned in the industrial city as road accidents have become a leading cause of premature mortality. The authorities concerned seem to be least bothered to check whether proper signage, lighting and safety equipment are installed at accident-prone areas or not. The Public Works Department (PWD) is yet to ensure decisions about construction, maintenance and management of the road networks throughout the city that is considered to be of utmost important when it comes to safety and also helps to achieve targets and goals identified in national and local road safety strategies. Total lawlessness for traffic rules is there. It is unfortunate that road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, are not only becoming the victims of their own errors but also of others. Good road safety practices lies in the sense of personal responsibility. One should be extra vigilant while driving a vehicle, or walking or crossing a road. In addition to this, active partnership with the authorities and society, sharing expertise and developing innovative ways to develop and finance road safety policies and programmes is the need of hour. The administration should also come in action with a robust action plan in place. The campaign with the theme "Arrive Alive and Save Lives" should be underpinned by an orderly regime of law enforcement to make city roads safe. Finally, keeping in view the growing use of telecommunications and telematics technology (e.g. route guidance, infotainment, cell phones) and that distracts drivers while driving their vehicles, stress should be laid to strengthen the enforcement of laws. The administration should draft their policies and actions with an aim of "zero fatalities and serious injury collisions".

Ravi Chander Garg

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MC should ensure pothole-free roads 

One of the biggest problems that the city is facing is safe roads. The pressure of traffic on roads is too much. Efficient public transport is a must for the city. It will ease the pressure of traffic. The reduced number of vehicles on the road will lead to reduced road accidents. Underage driving should be checked strictly as this is another reason for unsafe roads. Stray animals roaming on roads are another cause of accidents. There is a dire need to control these stray animals. It will surely decrease the number of road accidents in the city. In some of the cases, even the poor conditions of roads also lead to serious accidents. The MC should make sure that the roads should be free of potholes, especially during monsoon. The traffic policemen should also realise their duty and do it wholeheartedly. They should not just be standing at the crossroads as a formality. They must regulate the traffic efficiently. Last but not the least, we all need to be responsible drivers because when we drive carelessly, we are not only putting our own lives into danger, but also others. So we all must drive carefully to make the roads of our city safe.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi 

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Roads should be recarpeted every year

Roads are considered to be a lifeline of any region or country. Roads are the biggest and easiest mode of transportation as door-to-door delivery of goods and services is possible only through well-maintained and well-carpeted roads. Unfortunately, the condition of roads in our city is at the mercy of the Municipal Corporation. The attitude of the local government is apathetic. Due to bad conditions of roads, nobody feels safe and many people lose their lives. So for the safe movement, the conditions of roads must be improved in the city. Each councillor must take the stock of situation of roads in his/her ward. He/she must form a team to report for the bad condition of road in his/her area on weekly basis. Roads should be carpeted every year for the smooth and safe movement of traffic and commuters. Proper lanning system should be there for cycles, two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Everyone should follow traffic rules and regulation to avoid accidents. Speed limit should be fixed in the city and it must be centrally monitored by the traffic police. Automatic challan should be reached at the home address of violators. We all should cooperate with the traffic police and motivate others to follow traffic rules so that the journey on city roads may prove safer for each and everyone.

Farzana Khan

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Proper training should be given to new drivers

The roadways seem pretty safe, but when we read figures of road accidents, accidents seem to be the leading cause of death around the world. It is expected that by the year 2020, road crashes are expected to be the seventh leading cause of deaths in the world. Roads can be made safer with the cooperation of all and the civic sense of citizens. We should put down the cell phones while driving. We should also be aware of the surroundings like pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles. Distracted driving doesn't apply only to talking and texting, but also we should avoid eating, putting on makeup or adjusting the radio while driving. Over speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents on roads. The key risk factors for crashes across the world include excessive speed, alcohol, not using a seat belt, not wearing helmets etc. LIDAR (light detection and ranging) gun is a tool that help law enforcers to catch and book vehicles that cross the speed limit. It is light and easy to use and should be used so as to discourage over speeding. We should give full lane to the cyclists. Stickers and magnets showing road safety norms should be properly displayed and traffic parks should be maintained. Proper training should be given to new drivers. Drunken driving should be severely punished. Roadside random drug testing should be done so as to punish the guilty.

Dr Jasdeep Kaur

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Follow simple road safety rules for safety of others

We can made city roads safer only by following the traffic rules. Don't use mobile phones while driving. We often see that youngsters read text messages, or talk over mobile phones while driving, which often make them unaware of other drivers, and if suddenly they need to stop a vehicle, they are unable to do so. Distracted driving does not just apply to talking and texting. Drivers should also avoid other things that take away their focus from roads such as eating, adjusting radio or putting up makeup. Everyone should respect speed limit as speeding is one of the leading cause of accidents on the roads. Youngsters don't follow speed limit which results in accidents. Many children and walkers lost their lives in such accidents. By just following simple road safety rules, many innocent lives can be saved.

Karanpreet Kaur 

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Heavy penalties should be imposed on defaulters

Road safety is a safety measure to reduce the risk of road accidents. To control accidents, the government and residents must work together. The Transport Department should be strict while issuing driving license. The traffic police should impose heavy penalties on those who are not eligible to drive. There should be speed humps and also curves on the roads to reduce the speed of vehicles. People should respect the speed limit and also be aware of traffic rules. They should put down their mobile phones while driving vehicles. One innovative idea is Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), a system in which the vehicle knows the speed limit for the road it is driving on, and activates audio and visual signals if speed is exceeded. The government should also promote new technologies that inform road users about driving behaviour through Apps and other tools. So, everyone should strictly follow all rules and regulations regarding road safety.

KAMALDEEP KAUR

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Drunken driving should be strictly banned

It is said that 1.3 million people die all over the world in a year because of accidents. To reduce these accidents and make roads safer, awareness about traffic rules should be spread among youngsters. Nowadays, as everyone is having camera phones, the government should open online reporting so that the drivers talking on phones, polluting vehicles, driving on wrong sides, overloaded trucks and over speeding vehicles can be easily recorded. The government should make different routes for the buses and trucks. The public should be encouraged for walking and cycling to change the traffic density. The roads must be kept clear of overhanging trees or other hazards. Drunken driving should be strictly banned. The traffic police should check it with alcoholmeter and strict action should be taken against the defaulters. The public should also take some steps for their own safety like they should avoid using mobile phones while driving. 

Manisha Kamboj

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Always follow traffic signals and rules

Road safety is not only in the hands of the government, but we must also follow the rules when we are on the road. You should never drink and drive. Always obey the traffic signals and rules. Drive in your speed limit. Don't use mobile phones while driving. Before driving, set your mirrors and wear a seat belt and helmet for safety purpose. Maintain a safe distance from a front car. Always stop at the zebra crossing. Driving safely is not only beneficial to the driver, but also to other users on the road. Proper safety measures must be taken by each and every driver. If we drive safely, chances of accidents on the road also decrease. The only role of the government is to make the strict rule and maintain the structural framework of all roads. This way, we can make our city roads safe for every user.  

Manpriya Kaur

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Any damaged road should be repaired immediately

Negligence on the part of the driver or the recklessness of the driver is mainly responsible for road accidents. People should follow the traffic rules to prevent any accidents. Often we see people jumping traffic signals, driving while drunk and driving without wearing seat belts or helmets. These people not only put their lives in danger but of others also. The authorities need to create awareness about rules and regulations on the roads, especially among youngsters. It is not just the duty of the government but everyone should spread the message of road safety and the consequences of ignoring traffic rules. We as responsible citizens should also show some respect towards the rules and regulations. From time to time, the authorities concerned should keep a check on roads and any damage reported should be repaired immediately. The authorities should form a team which will make sure that the roads are safe to travel. Heavy penalties should be imposed on anyone who breaks the rules. At the end of the day, it's all about getting back to one's home safely.

Harsh Preet

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MC should keep a check on condition of roads

Damaged roads are an open invitation to mishaps. It creates trouble for commuters. In rainy days, the suffering doubles for commuters. The government should pay attention to save precious lives on roads. Being responsible citizens of the city, it is our responsibility to highlight our problems to the higher authorities so that they take quick steps to solve this problem. People should take a stand and take up their issues with the authorities concerned. The authorities must understand the need of the hour and repair roads immediately. We people want the best for our wards and the city as well. Complete development and maintenance of infrastructure of the city should be there. Each and every area of the city reflects the condition and development of the city. The government should take steps to improve the condition of roads. Repairing of roads should be done as soon as possible. Even the MC should keep a check on the condition of roads on regular basis. There is a need to spread awareness among citizens. We all should work to make Ludhiana a Smart City.

Kalpna Maurya

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Flyovers should be constructed to reduce burden of roads

A well-organised network of roadways speaks the nature and development of a particular region, city or state. But the shapes of our roads, particularly of Ludhiana city, are in dismal state. There are so many jams which commuters may have daily in the city due to faculty network and bad shapes of roads. In some areas, roads are bumpy and full of potholes. Commuters find it difficult to move from one place to another. If we want to get rid of the problems of roads in our city, roads should be carpeted after every five years through a proper planning and with proper execution of plans. In the city, some underways and flyovers should be constructed to lessen the burden of traffic. Each lane should be marked as reserved for particular types of vehicle so there should not be any problem in the flow of traffic and there will not be any traffic jams. There must be a flash system just like that of developed countries whenever any person violates the rule of traffic he must be challaned through this system.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

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OPEN HOUSE COMMENT

Tough punishment can make city roads safe

Minna Zutshi

Ludhiana roads are notorious. And the city drivers are worse still. Flouting the rules with impunity, the drivers care two hoots about the safety of other commuters and pedestrians. One of the common mishap-inviting practice is overtaking from wrong side. Driving on wrong side on slip roads is another common practice that causes a grave threat to pedestrians. In fact, instances of vehicles being driven on wrong side on slip roads are so common that they appear to be normal! Even the authorities go slow on issuing challans on this count. Only a strict compliance with the rules and a stringent punishment that acts as a deterrent are some steps that can help in making the city roads safe.