Sir,

This is with reference to the recent news item in SOM titled Helmetless rider trying to escape from Police injured. It is time we citizens understood that respecting traffic laws is our DUTY and BELIEVE that they are made keeping the safety of us motorists in mind and not to trouble us.

We are all witness to unruly behaviour and disrespect shown by young and old alike to traffic rules and laws like jumping signals, driving into the zebra crossing making it inconvenient for pedestrians, driving on footpath to avoid red signal waiting and so on.

Riding in threes is so common that an outsider would think it’s a rule to travel in threes on two-wheelers! Three people riding without helmet, overtaking from the left, changing lanes without indicating are experienced by one and all.

Riding at high speed on the wrong side of the road with the light ON is another offence that is committed boldly without a care by many. Even with the help of technology Police are unable to drive road discipline into the minds of motorists.

Fear of getting caught should come when one is leaving the house without a helmet on, not on seeing the cops.

Vehicle owners, parents or authorities should take care to check if the person using the vehicle is responsible and respects laws before allowing the vehicle to be used.

Parents who lovingly buy children whichever vehicle their ward demands should also ensure that the child knows the dangers of an accident if rules are not followed. They should also instil a sense of basic honesty in the children to pay up the fine and not repeat the offence again instead of escaping from punishment.

We see elders themselves making sudden U-Turns in heavy traffic  and almost crashing into other vehicles to escape being caught; so how do we blame the youngsters, having such role models for them to follow?

How many elders are selective about the vehicles they buy to teenagers? Why do we often see teenagers driving very powerful bikes way too big and powerful for their age?

What is the role played and responsibility of elders in such tragic incidents that brings pain and causes loss of young lives or leaves them maimed for life?

It’s time we think about our duties and responsibilities on road usage and change our adamant nature of blatantly breaking laws just to test the patience of law enforcing agencies.

Perhaps if every parent/spouse/sibling insists that their loved one leaves home with necessary safety gear and documents required for motoring we could minimise such tragedies.

– Anupama B. Pandit, Hebbal Ring Road, 20.5.2018

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