Road discipline matters a lot

The shocking incident in which a Sandalwood actor allegedly hit a middle-aged couple walking on the Vasanthpura Main Road leaving one of them dead and the other injured, goes to show that the Bengaluru traffic police needs to do a lot more to ensure discipline on city roads.

While there does not seem to be much scope for overspeeding at least in the nerve centres of the city which witness choc-a-bloc traffic most of the time, night travellers are accustomed to the pretty dangerous sight of cars and SUVs being driven rashly and at speeds which would make most people move aside for safety.

Traffic cops are a rare sight on the roads after midnight and even though there are high definition cameras at vital points including traffic signals to capture traffic offenders and those who care two hoots for the law, it’s a carefree atmosphere which prevails during the late night hours in most places which could endanger innocent lives.

There is no doubting the fact that vehicle numbers on the roads come down drastically after 12 midnight and there are stretches where one can hardly see even a single car for many kilometres as Bengaluru is a city which goes to sleep early and wakes up early.

This however does not mean that those behind the wheel can in an adrenaline rush, go literally wild on the road hardly caring for the safety of others.

Despite the fact that the number of vehicles comes down in the night hours, there is a huge number of techies who travel to office and also back home during the odd hours and their safety is paramount considering that this is the IT City of the country.

Another perceptible danger on city roads is the irresistible urge of youngsters to indulge in wheelies. This may be a source of excitement for the performer and his associates but for those watching from the wayside, it is definitely a frightening sight for one is not sure when the vehicles will come down crashing causing injuries.

Most people on the road on seeing wheelie enthusiasts, tend to move aside to safety but it may not be always possible considering the huge number of vehicles on the roads.

Over speeding, rash and negligent driving, underage driving, riding without helmets and safety belts, jumping traffic signals violating the law, two-wheelers carrying more than two riders, vehicles emitting huge amounts of noxious fumes - they obviously do not have a PUC (pollution under control) certificate - the Bengaluru Traffic Police has its task cut out in enforcing law and order on the roads.

The question arises if the traffic police force has enough personnel to oversee a city with a teeming population of lakhs of vehicles. Or do we need many more traffic cops to match the increased responsibilities?

There is also the troubling thought of how safe and motorable our roads are considering that most of them are riddled with potholes. Though the monsoon has been pretty deficient this year, the potholes are no doubt increasing and growing menacingly bigger posing a threat to road users.

With no elected BBMP civic body in place, city residents have no recourse other than wait for Palike officials and the state government to come to their rescue as far as road conditions are concerned.

Bengaluru’s roads no doubt need a lot more attention as lakhs and lakhs of people travel on them every day to their home and workplaces.

It’s only when traffic and civic officials put their heads together and come up with viable solutions to the burgeoning traffic that citizens can dream of a safe and convenient ride.