Growing road accidents: A man made Epidemic.

     Today I was going to my office with my bike, I saw a heartbreaking Accident. A biker was brutally killed in that accident with a car. The biker did not wear Helmet. He got a head injury and succumbed to the death. The car only got some trivial scratches. This is not the first time that I was seeing such type of accidents. Every now and then I would see such accidents. Sometimes a car with a Truck, a Truck with a Truck, a Bus with a Truck and many more with casualties. Every time many questions arise in my mind. As a result of this, rate of accidents has increased and it has turned into an Epidemic these days. Nearly about 1,50.000 people are dying par year in road accidents. This figure is increasing day by day. In pre-independence era there used to be Plague, Chicken Pox, Cholera, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and other infectious diseases, which we have fully controlled. But today this kind of MODERN EPIDEMIC is spreading itself without any hindrance. Is there no cure of it in Modern Science? Why are we so helpless today? I am going to throw some light on this issue so that society can be awared on this issue.

Why do road accidents rise these days?
     There are many reasons for growing accidents in our country. After economic reform process of
 1991, length of highways has increased considerably. The economic conditions of people in rural areas has increased and they are buying more two wheelers now. Under the Pradhanmantri Sadak Yojna(Prime Minister Road plan) the quality of roads in rural areas has been improved for some time. In urban areas more and more four-wheelers are coming on the road daily. As a result of this there are more traffics on the roads of our country. There are also some other reasons which has been listed here-

• SPEED- Overspeed is the main reason for the fatal accidents in India. Mostly college going youths are dying in two wheeler accidents. More accidents are taking place on our Highways due to Over speeding vehicles. There is no speed limits rules in our country, if there is a rule, nobody follows these rules.
• Driving under the influence of liquor- This is also one of the main reasons for accidents on the highways of our country. Recently our Apex court, Supreme court, in its verdict ordered that there should not be sold any kind of liquor in the vicinity of highways. It shows the gravity of situation.
• IGNORANCE OF TRAFFIC LAWS- Ignorance of traffic laws is also a main reason for that. In our country, if we buy a TV, Freeze, Washing Machine or any kind of Home Appliances, we are given Manuals but if we get Driving Licence, we are not given any kind of rule-book.
• STRAY ANIMALS- India is a home to Stray Animals. There are Cows, Dogs, Monkeys, Cats and other animals roaming openly on the Roads and Highways in India. Driving in India is so risky for these Stray Animals mainly Stray Dogs. Cows are seen everywhere in India due to religious reasons. Cow is considered a holy animal in Hindu religion and if Cows get old they are let open. And they become a menace for Bikers.
• POPULATION AND POPULATION DENSITY- India is the second largest country after China in Population. It has more than 1.2 billion people at present. And there are more than five lac villages in our country. So our roads and Highways are every time crowded with Pedestrians. There are not Zebra crossings, Underpass to cross the roads and Highways in rural areas that lead to more and more accidents of Pedestrians.

Why are people so indifferent on this issue?

It is so disgusting to see that there is no Debate in National level on this issue. We, the people of India, are fatalist by nature. We believe that it is in our Destiny. We do not believe in our system. People know it very well that the Government is not going to do anything on that issue. No party talk on this issue. No party adjusted this issue in their Manifesto. Just because we did not raise this issue on National level. Although, local Governments have to give a Hefty Amount as compensation every year to the relatives of victims.

Who was responsible to check accidents on roads?

Central Government, State Governments, Local Bodies and people at large are responsible to check this issue. Central Government are responsible for National Highways, State Governments are responsible for State Highways and Local Bodies are responsible for local roads. All roads should be maintained professionally. Condition of roads should be very good. And responsibility should also be on people at large. We should be law abiding people. We should follow road safety rules.

Why are rate of casualties are so high in our country?

There should be a Trauma Center in every 50 kilometers. There should be Ambulances available in minutes call. There should also be available of all blood groups Blood. Air lifting facilities of victims should also be available. There should not be any liquor shop along the highways. There should be provisions for footpath for pedestrians.