Road, Rage and Risks

IN the past few months I have witnessed a number of kids driving vehicles on road and this is a disturbing trend which should be immediately addressed by the government. I think besides the thrill that children get from undertaking such risks, what primarily prompts them is the peer pressure and the need to demonstrate their audacity. In the desperate attempt to look cool and win over friends children don’t realise the fatal consequences that such reckless behaviour entails. The incidence of road accidents involving children has risen and it is something that we should not take lightly, the laxity on the part of traffic police also serves to encourage children to get on the roads. The government should ensure an adequate presence of traffic police on the roads to deter children from venturing out recklessly. Besides this there is also a need to have road safety campaigns to apprise children of the mishaps that could take place because of their careless behaviour. Additionally there should be counselling sessions in the schools for both parents and children to dissuade them from encouraging their children to drive before they reach 18 years of age and acquire a license. Besides this, there is also a need of an overhauling of the way that traffic police department works, the nonchalance to road rage and violation of traffic rules sets a bad precedent and kills innocent people. The salaries of traffic police department should be increased so that they don’t fall prey to the bribes given by people to evade punishments. Sufficient funds should be allocated to enable this department to function properly, installation of CCTV cameras and traffic lights in absolutely necessary to allow the traffic police department to effectively monitor traffic movements and penalise those who defy the traffic rules.

Shameen Ansari 

Shameena@rediffmail