This refers to everyday traffic accidents. Every morning one can see atleast one news item regarding traffic accidents. Everyday throughout the state more than half a dozen traffic accidents occur consuming precious lives and wounding many for rest of the life. While death is inevitable , traffic accidents are avoidable.
One of main causes of traffic accidents in our valley is lack of a Traffic Culture and adding salt to wounds are bad roads.
Starting from getting an automobile, motorcycle to a driving licence every part is degraded. One can easily get an automobile or a motorcycle on a down payment of 10000 to 20000 rupees and rest of the cost is financed by banks. Going by the current rate of selling automobiles and motorcycle by various companies and banks financing them , we will have more automobiles and motorcycles on roads than people in near future.
Now onto getting a driving licence. One needs not to pass driving tests and medical tests. One can get a driving licence by bribing concerned officials, who seldom mind it.
Overspeeding is the main reason for traffic accidents. One can easily find overspeeding automobiles and motor bikes plying on roads like a blizzard. Overspeeding has became a normal thing in Kashmir. Nobody seems out there to check this menace. Use of helmets by motorcyclists has became a talk of past. In other states outside Kashmir one can see every motorcyclist using a helmet, even the second person seated behind him wearing a helmet. Back in Kashmir these scenes are very rare. Use of seat belts is another point. Kashmiris hardly use seat belts. Traffic police seldom check overspeeding , use of helmets and seat belts.
Apart from small vehicles and motorbikes, the main vehicle usually seen overspeeding are trucks. Trucks were not allowed to ply during day hours couple of years back. But, now one can easily find overspeeding trucks plying on roads during day. Trucks have caused many tragic road accidents in recent past. Traffic police should punish and fine the offenders of traffic rules and regulations.
In Kashmir , the genext has gone addictive to the menace of bike stunting, imitating the bollywood and hollywood actors. One can easily find young boys performing dangerous and life threating stunts. These visuals are common sight on IG road Parraypora and 90 feet road Buchpora. The genext of Kashmir forgets that the stunts shown in movies and ad films are done by professionals and are done under supervision. Traffic police of our state seems to be unaware of these happenings.
Parents who feel proud by giving cars and motorbikes as gifts to their young wards should always keep an eye on their wards. Why give such a gift to your child which can cause them lose their children. They should refrain from giving cars and bikes to children under 18 years.
Speed and Adrenaline Rush suits better to desktops , tablets and mobile phones. In real life these things can cost you life. There is no gift precious than life.
Government should order traffic police officials and cops to act strictly following traffic norms. The offenders of traffic rules and regulations should be punished strictly and fined too.
ROUF SADIQ TANTRAY
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
