It took the life of a woman for the police to crack down on two- wheeler drivers. The fatal accident on November 13 last should wake up the authorities here to stop people from going as they please. Already there is an undercurrent of resistance to rules and laws in Meghalaya. The slogan emblazoned across the city says, “Ha Ri Lajong, Leh Katba Mon,” (In your own land, do as you please), which tells us the state of mind of a section of youth that actually believe in the slogan. During school hours young kids are seen driving two wheelers and some are behind the steering wheels of vehicles while doting parents look on. Such is the indulgence by parents that the young believe if they can get away with breaking driving rules they can also get away with breaking the law. It makes no difference to them because they have never been told to follow rules at home; they defy the rules in school and they violate societal rules.
The young man who ran over a lady who was only 50 years old, on his speeding two-wheeler at Mawlai – an accident that led to the death of the lady, is a minor. Obviously, he would not have a driving license. So whose license was he using? Or was he driving without a license? Why is the penalty for driving without license or for rash driving almost non-existent in Meghalaya? Police rounding up two-wheeler drivers on Wednesday after a public outcry is a case of too little, too late. The manner in which motorcycles speed within city limits and take a pass from whichever side they please, has been a matter of concern for car drivers. They never know when a motorbike will cut across their path without any signal.
The glut of two-wheelers, especially motorcycles has become a matter of concern because they have no separate lanes and drive along the same narrow roads. In Shillong city, crossing the roads has become a dangerous exercise since car drivers don’t respect the Zebra Crossings either because they don’t know its purpose or they don’t care. The elderly are particularly daunted by the road crossing exercise at certain points in the city. The Transport and Police Department in tandem should have more Zebra Crossings at vantage points in the city where vehicles don’t give right of way to pedestrians. It is also hoped that the Traffic Police will step up their vigil against under-aged drivers who come from homes that have lost control over their kids. Else which responsible parent would allow a boy of 14-15 years of age to cause danger to himself and to others? Families have a responsibility to raise up law-abiding citizens but if families themselves have lost control over their wards then there’s very little the state can do.
