Duwa Bisati
Social media was abuzz, last week, after a video of a ‘skillfully averted’ road mishap in Srinagar went viral. In the video, a woman can be seen trying to cross the busy road in absence of a pedestrian crossing. Meanwhile, a vehicle at high-speed is seen approaching her. When the vehicle nears her, the driver skillfully takes a U-Turn. Thus, a gruesome road accident was averted from happening. Many were seen pouring appreciation for the driver but many also raised eyebrows at the woman trying to cross the road untimely, when it was risky.
A road stripped with black and white paint known as a pedestrian crossing or zebra crossing warns a driver to stop since there may be pedestrians crossing the road or waiting to cross it.
The insufficient number or total absence of zebra crossings has caused pedestrians crossing the road a lot of inconveniences. Pedestrians cross the road in panic, which many times lead to tragic accidents.
In Srinagar’s Jahangir Hotel area, there are two zebra crossings, both have faded but the administration has time and again snubbed the issue.
“A few years ago, school-going children, college students and old age people would use the ‘Pedestrian Crossing’ to easily cross the road. But now, as you see both the crossings have faded, it has become difficult for us to cross. We, hurriedly, take risky steps to cross the road, which could cause mishaps. The administration must revive these zebra crossings, as soon as possible,” said a school student.
He also added that posting traffic police at busy junctions can prevent many accidents.
Malik Mehraj, a resident of Lal chowk believes, “Pedestrians and traffic police are equally responsible in the matter, because if pedestrians and drivers follow the rules there will be no hazard to anyone.”
The administration is negligent towards the lack of road crossings, he feels.
“Few years ago, awareness programs were organized. People were made cognizant about road crossings and traffic rules, where they should stop, how they should cross the roads, but now no such programs are organized and no one warns people about hazardous crossing,” complained Malik Mehraj.
It is pertinent to mention that many rules have been laid for a zebra crossing:
– a crossing point at which pedestrians have the right of way.
-Stop one step curb or shoulder of the road if there is no foot path. To look and listen in all directions for approaching traffic.
-The traffic police should take strict action against the drivers to stop for the pedestrians to cross the road .
-The traffic police should fine people for not using zebra crossing or not stopping for pedestrians to cross the road.
-The traffic police should be attentive at there duties despite sitting on over-bridges.
“You see, there are many rules and regulations for crossing the road but no one is there to make public follow them. There should be traffic police appointed at the crossings. If an elderly man or women tries to cross the road, no one stops for them. Either they have to show hand or they get stuck in the middle because there is no one to guide them cross the road. Even if my child tries to cross the road he is frightened, because of lack of zebra crossings, traffic lights and the non availability of traffic police,” said Parvez Ahmed, a resident of Hazratbal.
Sana Azad, a college student, says, “While crossing the road, we are afraid that no one will stop and let us cross the road.”
She further added that despite seeing that people are crossing the road at the zebra crossing, fast drivers never stop. She thinks that the administration must take necessary steps in the matter.
Elderly people face more problems in crossing the road and at times students can been seen helping them to cross the road. “My friends and I don’t cross the road until we make sure that the elderly have crossed the road. The administration must spread awareness about traffic rules and regulations through the medium of radio, television, roadside shows, in every possible language,” Sana further added.