Road fatalities in India How precious one’s life is can’t be stressed, but to know best, ask your loved ones. Life lost by any means is a matter of concern and tragic outcome. The same lives lost by means which are easily avoidable is even more tragic. Over 1,37,000 people were killed in road accidents alone in 2013. This number has gone up to 1.46 lakh, a year later. There is one death and four injuries every minute in India and India has the despicable distinction of reporting the highest number of road fatalities in the world. It is indeed welcome that the government is working on a progressive road safety bill that increases compensation and seeks implement harsh penalties on drivers who cause the accidents.
Inhumanism on the rise A video has been circulating today. The video shows a tempo hitting a person walking on the footpath. He kept lying on the road and succumbed to the injuries. The tragedy didn’t end there, the person found no help from the bystanders and what more, his cell phone was robbed by another person. We are looking at a larger malaise in our society where concern for our own lives and that of others have taken a backseat. At a time, when governments, irrespective of political parties, find it hard to enforce laws and rules on road safety, it is up to us citizens who should take the initiative, re-invent compassion and empathy within us. At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to help each other.
Take the pledge Let us all take the pledge to drive slow and safe, keeping in mind that others have ambitions, they have their loved ones, dependents, etc. whose life is as precious as anyone of us. Let us spread the awareness and sensitize people around on the need to drive slow and safe and on the need to help others when in need. Our love for the country starts with how we value our fellow citizens. Let us together keep India’s roads safe and secure where every person who comes out goes home safe.
