It is quite ironic the way passenger vehicles in Kashmir flash stickers saying: Risky Job, on their rear windshields. For these immature drivers, who seem to have no respect for the human lives, flashing their intents brazenly on their vehicles is a way to challenge the inefficient and understaffed traffic police. It is their way to mock the system. They know, as long as they keep paying the unofficial ‘tax’ nobody in blue uniform can touch them. And it is their everyday juggling, with both precious human lives and law, that makes them consider their jobs risky.
There is no way to stop this menace from our roads. Anybody, who is barely out of his teens, and can afford to buy a vehicle (by whatever means) gets anointed as a driver by out corrupt system. And this driver is then entrusted with at least ten precious lives for transportation from one place to another. With no formal training, or driving experience, these hot-blooded youngsters not only put the lives of their passengers at risk, but also risk the lives of those sensible drivers who try to follow the rules.
There were many instances where these ‘risky drivers’ not only became reason for someone’s untimely death, but also endangered pedestrians lives.
Last year, a lady teacher who taught at Saink School Manasbal was dragged by the rear wheel of a load carrier and killing her instantly. The driver of the vehicle managed to flee from the spot without even caring to stop for humanity’s sake. It is a big question mark on our society. Why we, in a race to reach nowhere, have turned into monsters for our fellow citizens. Are roads no longer safe for people who care for laws and other people’s lives? Why is there absolute anarchy on our roads? With number of traffic cops less than what is required to man the major roads it’s a total mess. But what disturbs more is that there is nobody from the government or administration who actually cares for people.
And the unchecked increased of passenger vehicles add to the woes. There needs be a cap on number of vehicles allowed to play as taxis. These taxis (Taveras and Sumos) driver as if they own the roads. There is no control over them. The number of deaths involving these taxis has surpassed any other death count in the valley, except natural.
The need of the hour is that there should be a proper system that keeps a tab on new passenger vehicles added everyday, and special provision for granting license to drivers who driver these vehicles. There has to be proper checks to weed out risky drivers who put everybody in danger including themselves.
