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Road safety is an aspect concerning one and all be it the motorists as well as the pedestrians because road safety is closely related to what we value most, i.e., our lives.
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Road safety is an aspect concerning one and all be it the motorists as well as the pedestrians because road safety is closely related to what we value most, i.e., our lives.
Each morning we need to feel that our children are going to and returning from school safe and sound as we are not always there to protect them!
Let us think!! What are the images that come to our minds as pedestrians and drivers when we talk about road safety?
Road signs • Peak time • Type of vehicles on the road • Good or bad drivers • Police presence on the road The list is of course not exhaustive.
From the point of view of a consumer’s organization, we note the following points: • Lack of control on a vehicle’s road worthiness • Abuse of alcohol; insurance does not cover victims of a driver who was under alcohol influence. • Issue of driver’s license: need for stringent tests and re-evaluation of the license after a certain age.
Non-compliance to the Road Safety code • Irresponsibility of road users, especially pedestrians and motorcyclists
Need for intensive campaigns, with the involvement of consumer organizations
Roadworthiness • Allegations made concerning the issue of the Vehicles Fitness Certificates. Despite initiatives to discourage bribery to obtain fitness certificates, it seems that it is a common practice to obtain such certificates against a Rs 100-note slipped inside the horsepower card. This practice, not only encourages corruption, but puts peoples' lives at risk. We believe that the government should address the prevalent situation from the road safety angle. A comprehensive education campaign should be designed to call on a more responsible behaviour on the part of vehicle owners.
Issue of driving license • Announcement by the government that drivers found under the influenece of alcohol may see their license removed is a good initiative but will however remain unheard in the absence of an intensive campaign. • We note that victims of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, do not benefit from insurance covers. That is, the vehicle is insures, if the driver has been proved to be drunk, the insurance company will not receive claims from the victims
This unilateral practice of insurance companies deprives consumers of their right to redress. • It also allows insurance companies to get away from receiving and responding to claims • It hence encourages drivers not to care about their alcohol consumption before driving
We believe that the law should be amended to provide for drivers to be accountable if found drunk!
Young applicants for a driver's license often complain about the severe conditions under which driving tests are conducted. We do not believe that Govt should lax on these tests. The more difficult it is to obtain a license the more the learner will act responsibly.
Disrespect for road safety code: It is not uncommon for road users to disrespect the road safety code. • Question to drivers: Have you ever noticed people walking in the middle of the road, or abruptly crossing the road without looking on both sides first or how often have you been disturbed by stray dogs on the road?
The law should act as a deterrrent for those who do not stop at zebra crossings. • The authorities should take care of the high number of stray dogs on our roads, which is very dangerous for all of us.
According to our observations, a majority of drivers would never stop at a pedestrian crossing although the road safety code requires this. • Bus drivers and lorry drivers are known to the worst drivers on the road. Initiatives such as that taken by the IVTB to run driving courses for bus and lorry learners are commendable. However we are not sure whether such courses are attended by a fair number of learners.
Courtesy courses should be conducted to have more courteous drivers on the road.
Courses: Improved education for both pedestrians and motorists who need to be courteous and respect each other • First motorists should not forget that pedestrians, cyclists are less protected than them. They should therefore act responsibly on the road and go for defensive driving. • Both motorists and pedestrians should equally accept and respect the highway codes. Pedestrians should try as far as possible to understand drivers who are especially stressed during peak periods and act responsibly on the road.
Other measures we think can improve our road safety? • Better pavements • More speed breakers • Cars equipped with more gadgets and facilities for safety • More crossing facilities for pedestrians • There should be appropriate signs and regular replacement of broken signs • Reserved space for pedestrians
Improving education • Road safety measures to be talked about not only in schools but also in seminars to be done in workplaces
Lack of coordination between the department of the Police responsible for Road safety and the relevant body within the Police concerning accidents circumstances etc.
It is clear from various recommendations that any consumer education campaign, whether on Road Safety or the price of fuel, conditions of housing loans... consumer groups should be involved to enhance the quality of the talks or initiatives.
