Road Safety Rules in India: No Good if Not Supported by Good Road Infrastructure | IRTE
In your view, how important is it to follow the road safety rules in India? Also, do you think, as a nation, we have the infrastructure in place to facilitate the smooth and safe flow of traffic — vehicular and pedestrian, in the country?
An alarming 6.2 billion traffic violations by motorised traffic are reported on Indian roads every day!
Adding to the above statistics are the 410 deaths and 6400 severe injuries that take place on Indian roads every day!! Reeling aren’t you!?
The 410 per day deaths amount to over 1.5 lakhs in a year, equivalent to the total populations of some countries!
Road accidents are the number one killers on Indian roads. These distressing figures are the combined result of public apathy, inefficient and faulty traffic lights and signals. Further, the out-dated traffic equipment, faulty road engineering, vague and unclear traffic policies, and the rampant disregard of road safety rules in India, all add to the chaos on the roads.
While some of these factors cannot be controlled. A few, like, following traffic rules and regulations, having a clear-cut law governing the traffic can be improved. Also, ensuring an efficient infrastructure, in which to operate, are some crucial factors that can make a lifesaving difference.
So, what is the importance of road safety rules? How do they help in making the roads safer for all users?
Here are a few reasons, it is vital that as a nation, road safety rules in India should be adhered to.
Importance of road safety rules
Provide us with the essential and clear cut instructions and information on the condition of the roads.
Guide us on good road user behaviour.
Facilitate the smooth flow of traffic by providing relevant information on jams, speed limits on different kind of roads, the presence of ‘go-slow’ zones, roadblocks, etc., to name a few.
Ensure discipline on the roads by laying down rules and regulations and penalising and punishing the deviants.
It is imperative that as responsible road users and citizens of India, we should be aware of and follow the road safety rules applicable in India.
However, the road safety rules in India need to be relevant to have a positive impact. Moreover, they should to be supported by proper road signage and equipment.
Unfortunately, we are a long way off on that front. The newly passed Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill is a welcome step to bring some semblance on Indian roads.
However, the language of the bill at few places leaves a lot of room for misinterpretation. It will only lead to more chaos, an increase in corruption and harassment of the general public.
The basic condition of the road signage and traffic enforcement equipment has not been taken into account. Rather, no steps seem to be taken to make them efficient and help the road users use the roads in a safe manner.
According to research done by IRTE (Institute of Road Safety Education) on a few Delhi NCR roads, the condition of the road signage is in a deplorable state. Here are a few findings:
IRTE Research on Delhi NCR Road Signage — Some of the Findings
1430 stop signs, most installed on major roads near traffic signals were found to violate the prescribed design and colours as well as wrongfully installed.
58 of the 59 ‘Keep Left/ Right’ signs were not as per the prescribed standards.
More than 90 per cent of the eight cornered ‘Right Of Way’ ‘STOP’ signage was either incorrect, in shape and colour, or was incorrectly installed.
The above findings are a small fraction of the disturbing state of affairs on Indian roads, and make the road users a soft target for unnecessary harassment and bribe.
So, it’s time we all wake up to our responsibility and our rights as the people of India. We must do our bit in making the roads safer and we must question and speak up and bring about a change.
After all, it is all about our and our loved one’s safety.
Food for thought? Read up and arm yourself.
Speak up and help bring about the change!
AUTHOR : Rohina Chawla
