Sir,
The write up of DIG Traffic titled ‘How to improve Jammu Traffic System’ -reveals certain facts and throws light on chaotic condition on our roads. Most of the information regarding increasing population and manifold addition of vehicles coupled with unmatched road expansion network are already known to an average Jammuite but what one actually gathers from this write up is that much needed liaison between Traffic and Transport department is missing. DIG sahib has very rightly suggested that Transport dept. should encourage high standard driving school to produce competent drivers. But should Traffic wing of the police not step in to ensure, that before road test, knowledge test about traffic rules be also made mandatory. Minimum 80 percent score in knowledge test will definitely go a long way in bringing out professionally competent drivers.
As far lane driving and proper lane following is concerned, Traffic dept. has itself to be proactive. Commuters, drivers and other road users need to be updated with latest development especially after recent introduction of Traffic lights. Cross walks are never used for the purpose these are meant. Vehicles stop either at the cross walks or ahead of the cross walks and never at the prescribed distance before the cross walk thus depriving poor pedestrians of their legitimate right of crossing the road with dignity as well as safety. This needs to be done through advertisements, notices and pamphlets in local vernaculars. I would like to suggest relining of the roads needs to be done wherever road width permits dividing the road into three lanes. The write up also mentions about stopping of the matadors and buses at the authorized stops only and levying of heavy fines on the violators but then who other than traffic authorities can ensure such measures. Traffic officials are mostly seen as mute spectators to such gross irregularities. Strict implementation of the traffic rules with a genial approach, on the part of concerned authorities are must to change the attitude of diehards. DIG has also talked of road safety education at school level. I would avail the opportunity to add here that Vichar Kranti Manch International a Socio Spiritual Voluntary Organization has been endeavouring for the last 5 years at different government levels to include moral and ethical values as a compulsory subject in school curriculum but to no avail. The mention of shifting of bus stands of different routes and construction of parking lots, in the said write up is simply to assuage the desire of motorists for better road conditions.
Lastly I would like to suggest that roping in of local N.G.Os will definitely help in this endeavour. I have already brought to the notice of the authorities through these columns that Mr. S.S. Daani who is one man NGO should be involved for this noble cause .He has single handedly conducted road shows in Jammu as well as in far flung hilly areas on road safety rules.
Yours etc….
Harjinder Singh
(DFO retd.)
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