Concerns regarding bike racing on Umiam-Jorabat highway
Editor,
Apropos of a recent news report on the growing trend of bike racing on the Umiam-Jorabat four-lane highway, which has become a Sunday spectacle attracting bikers and onlookers alike, I would like to address the concerning statistics surrounding road accidents in India.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, had pledged to reduce road accidents in India by 50%, but during the December 2024 parliament session, he acknowledged that his ministry has not achieved this goal. He also revealed that 59% of road accidents in India occur on National Highways.
As per the yearly publication by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, road accidents in India in 2022, totalled a staggering 4,61,312 as reported by States and Union Territories. These accidents resulted in 1,68,491 fatalities and caused injuries to 4,43,366 individuals. Notably, the number of road accidents in 2022 increased by 11.9% compared to the previous year, 2021. This surge was accompanied by a 9.4% increase in fatalities and a 15.3% increase in injuries.
On average, there were approximately 1,264 road accidents and 462 fatalities daily in India, equating to 53 accidents and 19 deaths per hour. The majority of vehicles involved in accidents in India were two-wheelers. The all-India average mortality rate per 100 accidents was 36.5. Mizoram reported the highest mortality rate at 85.0 per 100 accidents, followed by Meghalaya at 6th position with an average mortality of 65.9 per 100 accidents.
According to National Crime Records Bureau report 2021, the major causes of accidents are
1. Over-speeding
2. Bad driving habits/ or for that matter lack of good
driving habits
3. Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs
4. No use of helmets,
seat-belts and child
restraints
5. Distracted driving
6. Unsafe road
infrastructure
7. Unsafe vehicles
8. Inadequate law enforcement of traffic laws.
The roads in the northeastern region of India are undergoing upgrades from national highways to four-lane and even six-lane highways. If my memory serves me correctly, the maximum speed limit for two-wheeled vehicles on highways is 80 kilometers per hour. However, it is not uncommon to observe super bikes and even those with lower capacities exceeding 120 kilometers per hour on public roads in an uncontrolled environment. There is no question of responsible driving when these vehicles are traveling at breakneck speeds and engaging in reckless racing on roads that are not designed for such activities. Furthermore, the audacity of these bikers is evident in the fact that many of them have active social media channels where they openly flaunt their law-breaking actions for the amusement of their followers and to get ‘likes.’ A review of the comments on their social media channels reveal a concerning pattern of encouragement and support from the public. This behaviour is particularly concerning as it is influencing young children to engage in inappropriate actions, endangering their own lives as well as the lives of others. The State of Punjab has established the Sadak Suraksha Force (SSF) to enhance road safety by deploying 5,000 personnel every 30 kilometers. This initiative provides first aid and has significantly reduced fatalities. The SSF has become a symbol of hope, making Punjab the first state in India to create a dedicated force solely focused on preventing road accidents and assisting injured individuals. Equipped with advanced vehicles and cutting-edge tools, these vehicles serve as ambulances capable of handling a wide range of emergencies, from accidents to providing assistance to those in distress on the roads. Since its inception, the SSF has successfully reduced the accident death rate in Punjab by 47%.
The Union Minister for Road and Transport openly expresses regret over India’s poor road traffic accident record and shies away from attending the International Road Federation World Congress. The government can only do so much; we, as responsible citizens, must educate our children and youth against these hazardous practices. There is a need for stricter law enforcement and, most importantly, a change in human behaviour. Individuals should take responsibility for driving safely because driving is not a right but a privilege.
Yours etc.,
Dr B Sangma,
Tura
Parking lots are for parking not for hawkers
Editor,
The hawkers need designated vending zones in order to do their business and earn their livelihoods. However, they cannot set up shop on footpaths and just about anywhere. I, for one had been very vocal about the need for the government to find a space for them to trade and not inconvenience the rest of the citizens who are forced to rub shoulders with vehicles as the footpaths are occupied by hawkers. Having said that it is important however to identify proper vending zones for the hawkers and parking lots are not the most befitting spaces. Of the three designated zones, two are parking lots – basement of the MUDA Parking Lot and the parking lot opposite the SBI Main Branch. For a majority of us, common citizens, besides having to deal with traffic jams, trying to find a space to park our vehicles is in itself a great challenge. The parking lots available at present in and around Police Bazar are still not sufficient. This is an ordeal that many of us go through and on this I think I share the feelings of my fellow citizens. For those in the helm of affairs, who face no traffic jams nor require proper space to park their vehicles, the best possible space to push the hawkers to, may be parking lots but certainly not for us.
As much as I sincerely feel that the hawkers must not take away the footpaths, sidewalks and even the roads, the Government must also understand that taking away parking lots will neither ease the problems of the hawkers nor vehicle owners. The government must be considerate and think about the wellbeing of all. If parking lots are to make way for hawkers, then surely there must be alternate parking spaces for the rest of us.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email