Tragic Collision on Srinagar Bypass: A Wake-Up Call for Road Safety in Kashmir
Who Holds the Responsibility? Parents, the Traffic Department, or We, the Common People?
By: Javid Amin
Overview of the Tragedy – In a heart-wrenching accident on Srinagar’s busy bypass near Tengpora, two young lives were abruptly cut short, and another was left critically injured. The collision, involving a Mahindra Thar and a stationary tipper truck, took place on a Thursday afternoon and has since fueled intense discussions in the Kashmir community around the pressing issue of road safety.
The victims were identified as Hammad, a resident of Lal Bazar, and Azeem from Sanat Nagar, both students whose lives were full of potential. Tragically, they died on the spot, while their friend, Mohammad Eissa Ganie from Nowshera, remains in critical condition. This accident, like many others, serves as a devastating reminder of the need for stricter road safety measures in Kashmir.
Rising Road Accidents in Kashmir: A Growing Concern
Kashmir, like many parts of India, has seen a worrying increase in road accidents. Reckless driving, inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations, and a general lack of road safety awareness are contributing factors. While these issues are not new, the frequency and severity of accidents in the region have risen significantly over recent years, with young people particularly affected.
But who bears the responsibility? Is it the traffic department for lax enforcement, the parents who sometimes allow minors to drive, or society as a whole? This tragic incident compels us to examine the causes behind these avoidable accidents and the role each group can play in addressing them.
Parental Responsibility and Youthful Recklessness
The SSP of Traffic Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, extended condolences to the bereaved families but didn’t hold back from addressing the issue of underage driving. “The onus lies on parents,” Shah said, highlighting that parents often let minors drive without considering the potential consequences. Letting children operate cars or motorcycles without legal licenses is not only illegal but endangers their lives and the lives of others on the road.
Parents bear a significant part of the responsibility in preventing accidents by making sure that their children do not access vehicles until they are of legal driving age and have completed proper driving instruction. This not only aligns with the law but ensures a basic level of skill and judgment behind the wheel.
Role of Educational Institutions
In addition to parental supervision, schools and tuition centers have a crucial role to play in promoting road safety. Schools in Kashmir have a unique responsibility in this regard, as students spend a significant portion of their time there. Authorities must encourage schools to discourage students from driving to school until they have a valid driver’s license.
The SSP also called for schools to be proactive: “We have held numerous interactions and programs to educate children in schools. It is high time school authorities take strict action to prevent underage driving.”
Schools can enforce this by setting policies that prevent students from bringing vehicles onto school grounds without a valid license and by partnering with local traffic authorities to provide road safety workshops. This not only protects the students but reinforces the importance of following the law.
The Traffic Department’s Role: Enforcement and Awareness
While parental and educational guidance is essential, the traffic department also has an undeniable role to play. Enforcing traffic rules effectively is critical to creating safer roads in Kashmir. More frequent road checks, traffic surveillance, and real consequences for traffic violations are necessary to reduce reckless driving behavior.
Moreover, awareness programs need to be intensified. Periodic campaigns and workshops organized by the traffic department could play a significant role in educating the public about the risks of underage driving, speeding, and other traffic violations. Collaborating with local influencers, media channels, and schools could amplify the message.
SSP Traffic Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, further acknowledged that road safety awareness campaigns targeting youth, in particular, could be highly effective. Regular interventions, such as setting up checkpoints, organizing seminars, and launching social media initiatives, could help reduce the rates of road accidents in Kashmir.
Common People and Community Responsibility
Road safety isn’t solely the duty of the government, parents, or schools; it’s also a responsibility of the community at large. Social norms, peer influence, and public attitudes towards road safety significantly impact driving behavior. In Kashmir, community involvement can foster a culture of caution and accountability on the roads.
Here’s how the common people can make a difference:
- Community Awareness: Local leaders, social organizations, and influential figures can champion road safety, spreading awareness at community gatherings and on social media.
- Public Reporting: Citizens should feel empowered to report reckless driving or unsafe road conditions to the authorities, creating a sense of accountability among drivers.
- Role Modeling: Practicing and modeling safe driving behavior, such as wearing seatbelts, avoiding phone use while driving, and obeying speed limits, can have a positive influence, especially on young drivers.
Challenges to Road Safety in Kashmir
- Lack of Infrastructure: The state of road infrastructure in Kashmir poses a challenge to traffic management. Many areas lack proper signage, lighting, and pedestrian crossings, making it challenging for drivers to navigate safely.
- Rising Youth Population: Kashmir has a large youth demographic, many of whom have limited experience and understanding of traffic rules. Addressing this challenge requires a focused approach on road safety education tailored specifically for young people.
- Climate and Terrain: Kashmir’s mountainous terrain and frequent adverse weather conditions make driving especially challenging. Roads can become hazardous, particularly in the winter months when visibility is low and snow or ice can make surfaces slippery. Drivers must be trained on how to handle such conditions.
- Insufficient Law Enforcement: While the traffic police work hard to manage road safety, the force often lacks the resources to maintain consistent monitoring and enforcement across the region. Enhanced staffing, technology, and funding would improve their ability to manage road safety effectively.
Moving Forward: Steps to Improve Road Safety in Kashmir
1. Road Safety Education and Training
Encouraging road safety training in schools and colleges will help instill responsible behavior among the next generation of drivers. Workshops, simulated driving experiences, and interactions with traffic officers could be powerful learning experiences.
2. Enhanced Parental Guidance
Parents should educate their children about the dangers of reckless driving and reinforce that driving is a privilege that requires responsibility. Providing alternatives, like supervised driving lessons or public transport options, can help reduce the temptation for underage individuals to drive alone.
3. Policy and Enforcement
The traffic department must be given the resources needed for consistent law enforcement. Implementing strict fines and penalties for underage or reckless driving would serve as a deterrent. Advanced surveillance systems, like speed cameras and license plate recognition, could further improve enforcement.
4. Community-Based Awareness Programs
Grassroots organizations and local influencers can organize events and campaigns that address the community’s specific road safety needs. These initiatives could focus on how families, schools, and neighborhoods can come together to create a safer environment.
5. Improved Infrastructure
Investment in road infrastructure, including lighting, pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, and guard rails, would significantly improve safety for all road users in Kashmir.
Remembering Hammad and Azeem
As the community mourns the loss of Hammad and Azeem, their tragic deaths are a reminder of the collective responsibility to make our roads safer. Ensuring safer driving conditions and responsible behavior on the road is not only a tribute to their memory but a step toward preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Road safety is not merely about obeying rules; it’s about valuing human life and taking every step to protect it. By working together, parents, schools, traffic authorities, and the community can create safer roads and foster a culture that respects and prioritizes road safety.
