Oh Folks………. Let Our Cities Awake!

The sheer magnitude of road accident victims and the ever increasing regularity of such mishaps are appalling. The tragedy and trauma associated with it is even more inexplicable and dreadful. Where is our association with motor vehicles taking us to? There is no denying the fact that motoring brought about big and positive changes in this world. And it has greatly influenced the lives of people world over. Yet its negative fallout is presently a matter of deep concern worldwide.

About 13,00,000 people were killed owing to road mishaps last year on a global count. That meant about 3300 people lost their life in road accidents on an average each day. In addition to this another 650,000 perhaps were either injured or permanently disabled. In poor and developing countries accident related deaths are estimated to increase by 80% in the near future.

The economic activity for a nation and individual livelihood is very much dependent on transportation. But most nations are paying a price that is too dear when the lives lost on road are, taken into account. The situation is alarming and perhaps out of control. The impact of automobiles on every day living has certainly become a subject of controversy globally.

Today we are very much at cross-roads when it comes to completely resolving road traffic issues. Short term strategies and isolated initiatives are simply not enough. Unless and until we turn the bull by its horn and come up with comprehensive and complete solutions, we will continue to remain on a collision course!

We need to put in place effective road accident prevention and control measures that will address long term implications. There is no justification for millions of people getting killed or incapacitated permanently the world over every year. No longer can we turn a blind eye to this serious condition arising out of uncontrolled road traffic explosion.

At Traffictales our vision is to increase awareness among the people manifold, get them engaged in traffic consciousness everyday and every hour and bring about an immediate deceleration on the accident rates. If all people come to realize that every other person is seized of the matter; that in itself has the potential to bring about an immediate and appreciable impact on lowering the accident rates.

At traffictales.net our dream is to witness well organized road traffic flow where there is room for everyone; where travel time is optimal; where the drivers of automobiles are less stressed and pollution is under control. We dream of remarkable change in the attitude of professional drivers whether they drive cabs, trucks or buses. The owner drivers should religiously set an example by opting for exemplary driving culture and demonstrating adherence to traffic rules implicitly.

The cab and truck drivers should strive to change the negative impressions that the general public reportedly have about them in the developing countries. They should opt for an attitudinal change and healthy driving culture that could mean so much to them, their families and public at large. The excitement sought through high speeds and aggressiveness on highways should be replaced by the self esteem and pride of practising and exhibiting perfect driving techniques. The ignorant and erring drivers should enlighten themselves with information and videos on right driving habits.

When we are confronted with so many challenges in controlling the potential hazards on road we at traffictales are just reminded of a famous poem written by renowned poet Sri Rabindranath Tagore in which he portrayed his vision of the desirable societal conditions for his fellow countrymen in India. We have adapted that poem to reflect our vision for ensuring emancipation from the current traffic threats and the poetic portrayal runs as follows:

“Where the driving invokes no fear and safety practices are held high;

Where patience is abundant; and concern for fellow driver is all pervasive,

Where the roads have not been encroached by incorrigible elements;

Where vehicles move by statutes and accidents is not a cause for untimely death;

Where exemplary driving habits have replaced road rage and traffic snarls;

Where roads do not resemble the surface of moon or become a death trap;

Where all the vehicles are safely led forward by Thee, and are refrained from collisions;

In that kind of traffic cordiality, Oh God, Let my city awake”.