Editorial

J&K must do away with VIP culture, reform traffic management systems to reduce alarming accidents

17 November 2024

The recent tragic road accident in Srinagar, claiming the lives of two promising students, has once again brought to the fore the pressing issue of road safety in Jammu & Kashmir. The alarming statistics released by the Traffic Headquarters paint a grim picture of the state of affairs – 28,896 accidents claiming in 4251 lives in 5 years.

A significant contributor to this crisis is the inadequacy of our traffic police force. Grossly understaffed and under-resourced, the fact of the matter is they are struggling to enforce traffic rules effectively. The lack of manpower and modern equipment hinders their ability to monitor traffic, detect violations, and take timely action. This, in turn, emboldens reckless drivers, leading to more accidents, which claim precious lives on a daily basis across J&K.

While there is an argument that societal sense of responsibility is also needed in avoiding traffic accidents, that, while being plausible, puts the onus on collective societal action which does not work in the real world.

One particularly concerning issue is the prevalence of trucks plying on J&K roads, particularly in Kashmir region, without number plates. This blatant disregard for traffic rules not only hampers identification and accountability but also poses a serious threat to other road users. Stricter enforcement measures and penalties are needed to deter such violations.

The culture of VIP privilege in J&K, where certain individuals are exempted from certain traffic rules, further exacerbates the problem. This creates a sense of impunity and undermines the rule of law. It is imperative to dismantle this culture considering that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself has asked to make trafiic management more citizen friendly, and ensure that everyone, regardless of their status, is held accountable for their actions on the road.

To address the root causes of road accidents, a comprehensive approach is required. One crucial aspect is improving the system of driver licensing. Rigorous training and awareness programs should be implemented to educate drivers about traffic rules and responsible driving behavior. The present system of issuing licences does not follow global best practices. Stricter licensing procedures, including practical tests, would help identify and weed out incompetent drivers.

Furthermore, investing in advanced traffic management systems, like CCTV-based monitoring, control rooms and law enforcement, is essential.

Ultimately, sustainable improvement in road safety can only be achieved through a systemic approach that would focus more on building systems rather than one-off campaigns. Episodic campaigns and individual initiatives, while important, are not sufficient. A long-term, holistic strategy is needed to address the various factors contributing to road accidents. This includes infrastructure development, public awareness campaigns, doing away with VIP culture, strict enforcement of traffic rules for all, and sustainable enforcement of rules.

Time to fix J&K’s traffic system is now. The precious lives lost on a daily basis can be preserved. We cannot bank on collective civic sense alone in making things better for us. Effective and clear traffic laws, their enforcement without exceptions is a dire necessity. It is time to prioritize road safety and work towards a future where tragedies like the one in Srinagar become a thing of the past.