Stop Road Mishaps

Despite assurances and campaigns launched by the people sitting at the helm for ensuring safety on roads, the situation in J&K is not improving as loss of life is going on unabated. Road accidents have become a serious threat in Jammu and Kashmir.

The latest figures from four districts of Jammu region surfaced in the media reports seem to be worrisome as 88 people have lost their lives and more than 1,000 were injured in 699 road accidents in Kathua, Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts till July this year. What is even more worrying is that two-wheelers were involved in 44 per cent of these accidents.

These alarming figures are testimony to the fact that the concerned authorities cannot sit idle and watch the loss of life as yesterday only two persons lost their lives and seven others received injuries after a minibus overturned near Reasi. This has become a routine affair in J&K and therefore urgent and sustained action is required from the authorities to check the menace and stop the avoidable deaths on the roads of the Union Territory.

Apart from this, it is also the responsibility of the road users to follow all the traffic rules to remain safe and ensure the safety of fellow commuters. There is a need for a combination of enforcement and awareness because saving lives on the roads requires both strict action against violators and a change in the attitude of road users.

There is a need to examine the reasons behind reckless driving, overspeeding, lack of helmets and other unsafe practices. Besides, there is dire need that people should be given proper training and orientation to drive in places having difficult terrains. Special attention should also be given to commercial drivers, who frequently operate passenger vehicles on hilly and challenging routes.

At the same time, road safety infrastructure needs greater attention, particularly on highways and roads passing through hilly and remote areas. Proper signage, crash barriers, road markings, lighting at vulnerable stretches and timely repair of damaged roads can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Black spots should be identified and scientifically treated on priority, while regular safety audits of accident-prone roads must become a routine exercise. Emergency response mechanisms, including ambulances and trauma-care facilities near vulnerable stretches, should also be strengthened so that precious lives are not lost due to delays in receiving medical assistance.

There is no doubt that regions in J&K do have places where it is quite difficult to navigate on roads due to dangerous twists and turns and other constraints. It is the right time that the government should revisit the policy and try to come out with a solution to improve driving skills of the people or else deaths on roads will become unavoidable.

The authorities must now move on a war footing to prevent avoidable deaths and injuries and make the roads of Jammu and Kashmir safer for everyone.