The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is dedicated to remembering the many millions killed or injured in road crashes and their families and communities, as well as to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals who daily deal with the traumatic aftermath of road death and injury.
In 2015 more than 140,000 persons were killed in road accidents in India. It is estimated that 400 deaths occur daily due to road accidents in India. Among the causes of road accidents the major one is driver’s fault. Other causes are non-worthy conditions of vehicles, negligence of pedestrians and cyclists, high speed of vehicles, rash driving, lack of road patrolling, unlicensed and in experienced drivers, road bumps and pot holes, stray animals, unmanned grazing of animals, unmanned level crossings, lack of checking by traffic police, buildings encroaching upon public roads and leaving less space for traffic. etc.
We need better road safety norms, better supervision, and better implementation of traffic / road rules. Those without proper driving licence should be booked. Vehicles inspection offices should not issue licences by taking gratification money. Strict vigilance in the functioning of such offices needs to be done and erring officials and clerks and their lackeys should be booked. Animals should not be allowed to stray on public roads. Free grazing system should be stopped. At school level children should be taught road safety norms. Villagers also need to be made aware of road rules and safety norms. The habit of erecting bumpers on roads in front of shops and houses by the public should be stopped. Let us hope sense and sensibility will prevail at all levels in reducing accidents and causalities on roads.
Drive slow. Travel safe. Better reach home late than reach the other world fast!