Sheikh Sarwar Maqbool
Traffic management is often a critical but overlooked issue in urban planning, and its neglect has resulted in chaos and hazards that impact daily life and safety on the roads. A country like India, with its diverse driving conditions, growing urban populations, and high vehicle density, requires significant changes to traffic laws. A comprehensive approach to tackle issues ranging from ownership responsibility to noise pollution and speeding will help create safer, more pleasant streets. Here is an outline of policy recommendations that could drastically improve traffic culture and road safety.
1. Accountability Through Ownership: Restricting Vehicles to License Holders
One of the most effective methods to improve traffic safety is to enforce that only vehicle owners with valid licenses drive their own vehicles. Currently, vehicles are borrowed, lent, or sold informally, creating legal ambiguities in cases of traffic violations or accidents. For example, if a car hits someone and flees the scene, the primary responsibility lies with the vehicle owner unless the car was reported stolen. This measure would reduce unauthorized vehicle usage, curb informal car sales, and simplify police investigations. Implementing strict penalties for individuals driving vehicles not registered under their name would also minimize instances of irresponsible driving.
This policy would bring many advantages:
Enhanced accountability: The owner is directly liable for any infractions.
Reduced “borrowed” or “ad-hoc” vehicle usage, ensuring that those on the road are trained, legal drivers.
Easier enforcement by traffic police, as each vehicle would be tied directly to a licensed, accountable individual.
2. Honking Control: Disabling Horns to Reduce Noise Pollution
The incessant honking on Indian roads is an auditory blight that contributes significantly to stress and road rage. Honking has become a reflex, often without reason—at traffic lights, pedestrians, and even at other vehicles in non-emergency situations. The West has shown that honking can be minimized and reserved for genuine emergencies. A revolutionary approach would involve disabling horns in all vehicles for at least five years. This adjustment period would allow drivers to “unlearn” their honking habits, breaking the psychological dependence on horns.
A two-pronged approach could make this feasible:
Immediate deactivation of honking systems, enforced by checkpoints.
Car manufacturers should move horn buttons to an inconvenient location, such as under the driver’s seat, discouraging unnecessary use.
The reduction in honking would yield a calmer, more respectful driving environment, improving mental well-being on the roads and reducing instances of reckless driving and aggressive overtaking.
3. Speed Limitation Through Smart Throttle Devices
Commercial vehicles like trucks, taxis, and buses (often referred to as Toppers, Sumos, Taveras in India) are prone to speeding to maximize trips and revenue, often leading to fatal accidents. Fitting these vehicles with sealed smart throttle devices would enforce a strict speed limit of 50 km/h. Any tampering with these devices should result in severe penalties, such as vehicle seizure and jail time for offenders.
This initiative would have significant benefits:
A mandated speed cap on commercial vehicles, reducing accidents caused by speeding.
A safer experience for all road users, particularly in high-density urban areas.
Deterrence of reckless driving by penalizing tampering and ensuring compliance with road safety norms.
4. Restricted Hours for Heavy Vehicles: A Safer Time to Operate
The movement of heavy vehicles like tippers and trucks during peak hours contributes to traffic congestion and increases the risk of accidents due to their size and limited maneuverability. Restricting these vehicles to nighttime operations, between 10 PM and 5 AM, would alleviate daytime traffic and make roads safer for smaller vehicles and pedestrians. This restriction, combined with a ban on roadside parking for heavy vehicles, would significantly improve the flow of traffic and reduce the potential for accidents.
5. Transparent Vehicle Ownership Display on Number Plates
Displaying the owner’s name and license number on the number plates of vehicles would promote transparency and accountability. This system would deter careless and unlawful driving, as other road users could easily report incidents, knowing the driver’s identity. In case of accidents or rule violations, having this information accessible at a glance would streamline law enforcement and help create a sense of responsibility among drivers.
6. Reclaiming Footpaths: Ensuring Pedestrian Priority
Footpaths in many urban areas have become a minefield of obstacles—dog waste, street vendors, and shop extensions encroach on pedestrian space, forcing people onto busy roads. Cleaning up footpaths and enforcing penalties for illegal vendors and obstructive business practices will restore this space to its rightful users: pedestrians. Building material storage, roadside displays, and shop extensions should be removed to keep walkways clear, thus enhancing safety and convenience for pedestrians.
7. Infrastructure Improvements: Building Real, Accessible Roads
A significant drawback in traffic management across Indian states, particularly in places like Kashmir, is the lack of proper roads and infrastructure. Many roads are poorly constructed, riddled with plastic barricades and razor wire that restrict vehicle movement. This hampers both drivers and pedestrians, creating an environment of frustration and limited mobility. Building quality roads and removing unnecessary obstructions would allow for smoother traffic flow. Traffic regulation should focus on organized flow rather than creating hurdles, ensuring that roads serve their purpose for both drivers and pedestrians.
8. A Culture of Respect: Pedestrian Rights and Road Etiquette
Educating drivers on road etiquette can reshape traffic culture and reduce conflicts between road users. The following principles should be instilled:
Pedestrian Priority: Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users and deserve priority in any traffic scenario.
Right of Way: At unmanned junctions, vehicles on highways and main roads should have the right of way to prevent confusion and streamline movement.
Overtaking Restrictions: Indiscriminate overtaking contributes to congestion and accidents. Restricting overtaking zones will make roads safer.
Curbing Road Rage: Drivers in an urgent rush are often a menace on the roads, endangering others. Those with a reckless attitude should not be permitted to drive.
By embedding these values into driver education, authorities can nurture a more patient, respectful driving culture that prioritizes safety and harmony over competition and haste.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
Implementing these changes requires a strong resolve and commitment from both policymakers and the public. Law enforcement must be equipped to handle new regulations, while public awareness campaigns are needed to help drivers understand the importance of these laws. Transforming India’s road culture will not be easy, but with stringent policies and a commitment to enforcement, safer and more pleasant roads can become a reality.
Each of these recommendations addresses a unique but interconnected aspect of traffic safety, from structural reforms to behavioral shifts. Together, they pave the way for a transformative approach to road safety, where every road user—driver, pedestrian, and cyclist—feels secure and respected.
