Capital loves to flout rules
Looks like there is no way Delhi can ever get rid of traffic violations. And though the traffic police claim to have tightened the noose in the past years, figures reveal a different story. According to a recent report, there are approximately 146 million traffic violations everyday in the city. And, to counter these offences there are only 11,000 challans issued by cops. Do these facts highlight the dire need for strict rules and reinforcement of traffic laws for our citizens?
On the Facebook group started by the Delhi Traffic Police there are vigilant followers, who have posted more than 12,000 pictures of vehicles flouting traffic rules. However, culprits still break rules, carelessly. Dushyant Sinha, who owns a private consultancy laments about how driving on roads is a nightmare. He says, “Even though there are CCTV cameras and cops at many traffic signals, people flout traffic rules. I have to drive across the city everyday for my meetings and I see people openly jumping red lights. Many times cops don’t catch them which encourages other drivers to follow suit.”
When we talk about violations, it is not just four-wheel owners, but also two-wheel riders who break the law, shamelessly. Sumitt Dhamija, a DU student says, “Everyday we see so many people riding bikes without helmets. It’s strange, but women and children riding two-wheelers without helmets is not even considered as a violation anymore. I wonder why we can’t have the same rules for everyone? Many underage kids ride motorcycles without a license and no one ever checks or corrects them.”
Traffic violators on roads usually boast of an intimidating attitude and behave outrageously because they are not scared of the law keepers. Dr T.P. Jindal, a psychiatrist at the Indira Gandhi GSI hospital feels that there are many reasons behind this psyche. He explains, “It is more common in north Indian cities compared to any other part of the country. Many people here still have a feudal mentality and think that they are kings and the entire road is their property. Since the law and order in our country is already weak, people take advantage and escape after committing crimes. And, people who are eye witnesses avoid getting into trouble by mentioning this or taking such people to task.”
Many people feel that a vigilant system should be put in place and people should learn how to abide by traffic laws. Swati Jha, a student at IIPM feels, “I think the best way to teach people traffic laws is to give them challans that will ‘hurt their pocket’ every time they break a traffic rule. It will serve as a caution and they will be careful in the future. Many will think twice before jumping a signal or talking on the phone while driving or even parking illegally. Also there should be more CCTV cameras installed at signals and main streets to catch vehicles going at high speed.”
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