In a heart-wrenching incident at Tengpora, Srinagar, a Thar collided with a truck, claiming the lives of two students on the spot and leaving one with severe injuries. The tragedy has left the community in shock, shedding light on the urgent need for stricter road safety measures and responsible behaviour from all stakeholders.
The Aftermath;Traffic Department’s Swift Action: Following the incident, the traffic department sprang into action, imposing fines amounting to Rs8 lakh within a day on violators. These included minors driving vehicles and individuals riding without helmets or licences. While commendable, this reactive enforcement must be coupled with proactive strategies to ensure road safety on a sustained basis.
Parental Responsibility; A First Line Of Defence: Parents pay a pivotal role in preventing such tragedies. Allowing minors to drive vehicles not only endangers their lives but also puts others at risk. Strick legal action should be taken against parents who permit underage driving. This will serve as a strong deterrent and emphasize the importance of parental accountability.
Role Of Petrol Pumps; Denying Fuel To Minors: Petrol pump operators can significantly curb underage driving by refusing to provide fuel to minors. Staff should ask for age proof if they suspect a driver is underage. This simple step can prevent minors from accessing fuel and discourage them from driving on public roads.
Reforming The RTO;Ensuring Competence: The Regional Transport office (RTO) needs to address long-standing issues of malpractice in issuing licenses. In the past, some licences were issued without proper tests, often through agents. To rectify this:
Re-evaluation of existing licences should be conducted to ensure all drivers have adequate skills.
Licences of those failing the test should be suspended until they pass a proper driving examination.
Only individuals trained at registered driving institutes and certified as competent should be eligible for new licences.
Traffic Department; Strict Enforcement and Awareness: The traffic department must adopt a zero-tolerance policy for traffic violations. Regular checks, hefty fines, and vehicle seizures should be enforced without compromise. Additionally, workshops and awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate drivers on safe driving practices and the consequences of reckless behaviour.
“Tengpora Srinagar accident is a stark reminder of the cost of negligence and reckless behaviour on our roads. Let us work together to ensure that such tragedies become a thing of the past. Safe roads require responsible drivers and a collective effort from all sections of society.”
Schools And Tuition Centres; Monitoring Students: Educational institutions must take responsibility for ensuring students do not drive vehicles. If minors are found driving to schools or tuition centers:
1. Parents should be immediately informed.
2. In case of non-compliance, the police should be notified. The administration (Sr. Superintendent of Police) Traffic Rural Kashmir vide order dated:-16-11-2024 has already issued strict advisory to end the practice of minors driving vehicles. Schools and tuition centres must adhere to these rules diligently.
Role Of Social Activists And Religious Leaders: Social activists and religious leaders can promote road safety by creating awareness and reporting violations. Activists should document instances of underage driving and share evidence with authorities. Religious leaders should use their platforms to educate parents and youth on the moral and legal implications of reckless driving.
The General Public’s Responsibility: Road safety is a collective responsibility. Members of the public who witness minors driving should report the incident to the police through toll free helplines. Timely reporting can prevent potential accidents and save lives.
A Way Forward: Building safer Roads: To prevent such tragic accidents in the future, a multi-faceted approach is essential. This includes:
• Strict enforcement of traffic laws.
• Revamping the licensing system.
• Active participation of parents schools, and the community.
• Awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of safe driving.
Footnote: The Tengpora Srinagar accident is a stark reminder of the cost of negligence and reckless behaviour on our roads. Let us work together to ensure that such tragedies become a thing of the past. Safe roads require responsible drivers and a collective effort from all sections of society.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Irfan Rashid Khan
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