Although the Shillong
Traffic Police (STP)
is trying its best to reduce the number of accidents in the city, many reasons contribute to the menace which takes root from the ever growing traffic in the once sleepy hill station.
Absence of zebra crossings and road markings for instance is a common phenomenon in many vital locations of the city. The absence of zebra crossings especially in front of a number of schools, colleges and even offices adds to the woes. Fading colour of the existing zebra crossings coupled with indifferent attitude of the drivers make things worse. It is often seen that tiny tots with their heavy school bags are left with no choice but to run across the other side of the road thereby risking their lives in the process. “I find it very risky as my granddaughter has to cross the road for going to her school since the road markings are hardly visible and I don’t think drivers can see them either,” an elderly citizen said.
It is learnt that the traffic department often notifies the PWD about the road and locations which needs to be marked/coloured.
Additional Superintendent of police (traffic) Herbert Lyngdoh said that the traffic police will once again notify the areas to the PWD in which road markings needs to come up once the rains recede.
The city at the moment has no sizeable space for the pedestrians as vehicular traffic and parking has eaten deep into the little confined space meant for the people. Given the heavy flow of traffic, which has also been instrumental in abetting overspeeding, disregard for the crossings etc., it is important that motorists adhere to the zebra crossing rule so as to provide some respite to the poor pedestrian. (By Aafaque Hussain)