Making Mangaluru roads safer: A shared responsibility


Pics: Ramesh Pandith
By Bhaskar K R
Additional Pics Supplied

Mangaluru, Jan 15: Road accidents mostly happen as a result of recklessness, carelessness, overconfidence and illiteracy, among others, exhibited by drivers, not respecting road safety regulations, jumping the red light, wrong overtaking especially on the highways, and in cities like Mangaluru, bigger truck drivers sometimes do not pay attention when other road users need to access their fair share of the road. Some local carriage vehicles are not even fit to be used to carry food stuffs, let alone human beings but they are being used each day to convey passengers from one end to another with impunity freely.

Again, most of the vehicles do not have workable speedometers but when they get on to the road, the drivers speed without knowing what kilometers per hour the bus or vehicle is moving at. What will be the result? Your guess is as good as mine. Overloading has become normal and acceptable to the extent that buses that should take limitedpassengers on a row now take limitless passengers instead. All these factors and more contribute to the many fatal accidents we witness on our roads daily.

Authorities such as the traffic police, traffic wardens, the National Road Safety Commission and other stakeholders have been working back and forth to bring sanity to our roads, unfortunately the canker still persists. It is time to have a human face approach towards reducing road accidents to the barest minimum.

As part of the Road Safety Week-2016, The Giving Tree Trust (GTT), a Mangaluru-based NGO in association with Vibrant Chevrolet, Kulur and Forum Fiza Mall has launched a series of programmes at different venues in the city. The programme includes awareness walk, display of accident vehicles, human chain, bike show, beach fest, streetplays etc. They have also distributed road safety stickers and calendars to the public.

The NGO has acquired the help of local politicians and the traffic police for effective management of accidents on the roads. The road safety management initiative is being carried out effectively by the NGO team through various rallies and events such as road safety and no honking programs supported by the police department and associated in collaboration with some reputed motor companies. On Thursday January 14, police commissioner Chandra Sekhar, DCP Sanjeeva Patil along with other police personnel held an awareness programme at Forum Fiza Mall in the presence of Sandeep Shetty of Forum Fiza Mall, wherein they urged the public to follow traffic rules strictly and warned that violation of traffic rules would result in suspension of driving licence. An awareness rally by students was also held the same evening.

Statistics indicate that abandoned and disabled vehicles contribute to more than 20 percentof fatal road accidents in India, road safety management is a shared responsibility, let us support the safety assistants of the road safety to win the war against road accidents in our beloved mother India. Please join us in our crusade against road accidents.

  

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Comment on this article

  • WILLIAM LOBO, PALDANE

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    first of all we have study the cause of the accidents.1.to repair a small damage of road mnc takes 3-4 months.2.using shortcuts.for example one way they use as a two way.talking on mobile when they drive.
    I feel there is no coordination between traffic police and mnc (road repair section).just u seen the bendurwel road may be they taken 4-5 months to repair it.every one sees it but no one repairs it.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Magdaline , Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Sir,
    Mostly all the roads are two ways in Mangalore. This awareness should do regularly. Specially two wheelers.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    THE ROAD SAFETY WEEK is indeed A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. It is the obligation of every well meaning citizen - YOUNG OR OLD to respect LIVES OF PEOPLE and obviously render service to The People Of Mangalore and to The City of Mangalore

    Apart from the traffic offenses cited, it is often seen that vehicles regularly overtake from the left while the vehicle in front is already driving at the optimum speed. It is also a commonly seen parallel parking of buses to take passengers. The following are among others road offenses:

    1. Two Wheelers driving with three passengers.
    2. Two wheeler drivers not fastening the safety straps of helmets.
    3. Rear Passengers of two wheelers not wearing helmets.
    4. Not using seat belts by a passenger on the front seat.
    5. Using of helmets which are not standard specifications.
    6. Not observing signals of Traffic Wardens and Home Guards.

    It is not out place to make a suggestion that The Policemen and other Traffic Organizations should have perfect understanding and work with unison and not as separate units.

    There is an old saying CATCH THEM YOUNG. In this context it is expedient that the traffic department together with other voluntary units organize traffic awareness classes at grass-root levels by regularly visiting schools and colleges and educating the students on ROAD SAFETY MEASURES. This is commonly done in other developing countries.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Promenade Road,Fraze Town,B'lore 560005

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    RTO to conduct periodical classes to all the drivers to know and to comply the road safety regulations when they drive the vehicle.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Good work students and the traffic department. But one suggestion to the students of St. Aloysius college that you should not allow anyone to park their bikes and cars on footpaths, since footpaths are for pedestrians to walk. We see this at the light house hill on a daily basis during college hours. If students learn traffic rules when they are at school/college they will obey traffic all their life.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonso Dsouza, Bendur

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    I have seen with my own eyes how the Dubai Traffic Department has grown over the years and today they have one of the finest trained but limited Traffic force. The Police office must be dedicated to his task. No mercy to be given to faltering driver, book the erring driver. Guide the Pedestrians where necessary. Use speeding cameras, capture the violators in plain clothes. Use NGOs and College Students to garner support for this cause. Every citizen must contribute. Stop the vehicles that break the rules. Honking is one of the worst things happening in Mangalore. Driving on hard shoulders is probably the menace that people face in the absence of footpaths. It is management and people should support the Police to keep order.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Enn Ess, Manglore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    I have a suggestion !
    Why dont Traffic police move in Unmarked cars and use their Walkie talkies to alert their counterparts ahead to nab the erring driver !!
    This is followed in some countries....
    On a lighter vein ...RTA could get some Road licencing authorities from Gulf on Deputation !!!!

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nagesh shetty, surathkal

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Road safety week ..should be celebrated once every month !!

    Catch them young..Involve schools/Colleges ,Social Organisations,NGO's ...lectures by Authorities on aspects of safe and correct driving practices. Respecting pedestrians..showing them film clips on the subject etc etc.

    Strict implementation of vehicle's fitness,proper horns/lights including Indicator lights,number plates ,rear view mirrors etc.
    The RTA should put up proper signages indicating -Pedestrian crossings,Schools/Colleges,Hospitals etc etc.
    No Honking to be enforced.
    Lane cutting ,Rash n Reckless driving should not be tolerated.
    Daily at least 10 Public buses/Transport lorries should be thoroughly checked for their Road worthiness and I am sure all the other vehicles will fall in line.
    Imagine the Blaring Horns used by Boats are fitted on our Buses !!

    Public Transport buses should not be allowed to stop anywhere except the designated bus-stops and not a second more after the Passengers have got down and Passengers have boarded the Bus. The long wait at some Busstops forces them to speed to their next Destination.
    Hope the Mangled remains of the Two wheeler,displayed near Tagore Park will send Proper signals to our Young Two wheelers n Car drivers !!
    Welcome to the New Police Commissioner..
    Hope Mangaluru not only becomes a Smart city but also ensures Mangalureans drive Smartly.

    Lets Pray for a Smooth,,Comfortable,Tension free driving Experience here.....

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Continuation of previous post:

    4. Road tests: After the initial learners permit, the road test done in Mangalore has severe shortcomings. ...

    Does the driver follow the stop sign etc? This is not waste of time or resources. Drivers have to have social responsibility and these tests are prevalent in other developed countries.
    What is the use of the drive if the drivers have not been educated via the road test to begin with?
    5. Structure Planning and strategy of RTO and traffic police : is OUT DATED. If other countries have a better planned, better structured authorities that is because they have improved their structure and rules over time. We cannot remain rigid with our outdated system. What was good 10 years back may not be good enough now and surely NOT for the coming years. If proper healthcare and doctors can save lives, better organization of RTO / police force and handling of traffic offences(courts) will ensure road safety and improve our lives.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    If anyone is serious about road safety they need to consider first the essentials of road safety (forget getting brownie points of promotions but do with true road safety as what we can do out bit):

    1. Road signs and directions - I see severe lack or deficiency in our city. Every RTO, police officers are also private citizens. Please let us make the concerned accountable via highlighting these glaring issues.
    Proper road signs and their maintenance should not be like vanamahotsava (planting them and forgetting them). We need to take care and maintain them. Is there a system in place for that?
    2. High beam light usage and lack of indicators or signs when turning are major problems with literate but lesser educated drivers in Mangalore. Catch these drivers and fine them. Make the fee collection via bank payment only (several options within these). Fine collection can be a major source of income that can be used directly for road safety related expenses. Thus, the violators should feel that they are not losing money but giving back to their city.
    3. Traffic lights: Motorists rushing through the about to be GREEN (but not yet) or about to be RED are a big source of unruly selfish road sense in Mangalore. As there are fewer margins for error here, any accidents occurring during these events will surely be serious. This rushing through in a hurry, beeping horns teach a very bad example to our youngsters. Why are these people in a hurry?
    4. Road tests: After the initial learners permit, the road test done in Mangalore has severe shortcomings. A road test should be done at two levels. Only those who pass the first level at Vamanjoor should be allowed to take the second test. The second test should be used to judge the driving sense on actual roads. Following few, points need to be taken to evaluate the driver: Does the driver stops appropriately at road signs. Does the driver follow the speed limit? Does the driver horn without any rhyme or reason?

    Continued...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    I agree with the views expressed here. These road safety drives benefit the officials who have to show on record that they have taken these measures. These records will do well for their promotions etc.
    These events also have a negative consequence. Our children. Children follow the example than the theory of their parents, these Road safety events convey to the students and children that rules and regulations and safety are not serious issues.
    I completely agree about the analogy given about Gun lobby in USA with Bus lobby in Mangalore. Our politicians need money for winning elections and have to worry about next elections after winning. They also have to worry about inflation!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    THE ROAD SAFETY WEEK is indeed A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. It is the obligation of every well meaning citizen - YOUNG OR OLD to respect LIVES OF PEOPLE and obviously render service to The People Of Mangalore and to The City of Mangalore

    Apart from the traffic offenses cited, it is often seen that vehicles regularly overtake from the left while the vehicle in front is already driving at the optimum speed. It is also a commonly seen parallel parking of buses to take passengers. The following are among others road offenses:

    1. Two Wheelers driving with three passengers.
    2. Two wheeler drivers not fastening the safety straps of helmets.
    3. Rear Passengers of two wheelers not wearing helmets.
    4. Not using seat belts by a passenger on the front seat.
    5. Using of helmets which are not standard specifications.
    6. Not observing signals of Traffic Wardens and Home Guards.

    It is not out place to make a suggestion that The Policemen and other Traffic Organizations should have perfect understanding and work with unison and not as separate units.

    There is an old saying CATCH THEM YOUNG. In this context it is expedient that the traffic department together with other voluntary units organize traffic awareness classes at grass-root levels by regularly visiting schools and colleges and educating the students on ROAD SAFETY MEASURES. This is commonly done in other developing countries.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Hope are we going to reach this message to our uneducated DRIVERS ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Asif Iqbal, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Please concretise the Balmatta New Road immediately. Its like a jungle road and a big mess.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishal, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    A majority of the accidents in Mangalore take place because of the lack of fear of the law. Rules exist only in the books. Reckless drivers know pretty well that they can get away with anything. They can use their muscle power or money power. Unless this trend changes, I do not think anything can help. The police have to come down heavily on the culprits, no matter how well they are connected. This will have a salutary effect on the problem. Unfortunately, this is not going to take place at least during my life time because the RTO, the police and the courts of law, like so many other departments are steeped in corruption. But then when the entire system and the whole government is so corrupt, can anyone expect justice and equality in this country?

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • rajesh shetty, vamanjoor

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Happen to pass by RTO,HAMPANKATTA,POLICE WERE TRYING VERY HARD TO EDUCATE THE BUS DRIVERS ON ROAD SAFETY,BUT THIS SCENARIO WILL CHANGE WITH BUSES AGAIN ON RASH DRIVING,instead like Bangalore,only solution is ksrtc buses,like Bangalore,once BMTC BUSES MOVES OUT FROM BUS STOP,DOORS CLOSE,AND THEY NEVER OPEN TILL THE NEXT STOP.HOPE THIS WILL IMPLEMENT SOON!!!!!CHEERS KUDLAA.....

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anp, Bluru

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Rajesh Sir,
    You are right in targeting the overspeeding, ever overtaking buses in Mangalore.
    Just like the strong Gun Lobby in the U.S.A there is are strong bus Lobby in mangalore.This is controlled by the politicians who in turn have the local mafia controlling the same .
    FIRST TALK TO BUS DRIVERS THEN TO PUBLIC ON ROAD SAFETY.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe D'Souza, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Now a days many activities are taking place in tame of ROAD SAFETY.
    1. Many students who show up in above pictures are the ones hang out and travel on foot boards while going to college in buses. Loaded Buses are driven in front of Taffic Police and Police Stations with Youngsters hanging out side of buses without any action. (Incident:Loaded bus was traveling in front RTO Inspectors. Arasu Bus was in front Youngsters hanging and Arasu was sitting inside RTO Vehicle watching. Rule makers are blind watchers)
    2 Many of them are riding bikes showing off their pride by wheeling,riding zig zag and speeding by not wearing the helmets. Plus sometimes 3 to 4 are on one bike.
    3.When safety comes to girl students,they cannot walk single.Instead they have to walk holding each others hand in group,in middle of the road.
    4. Look at the banners on road sides disturbing the view and attention while driving or riding. Night time flickering lights are blinding the view,specially curbs and dividers walls. Why these many banners has to be installed in name of God and Religion.
    6. People are crossing the roads while talking on Mobile phones with all the attention is elsewhere instead of vehicle movement.
    So my advise to youngsters,first correct yourself and your schoolmates and later tell others about road safety.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita D'Souza, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Dear Joe Sir,

    You are right!! I fully agree with you.

    Self-discipline practice is important before we discipline others.

    I hope Sir that your message reaches to all the rash youth riders and other vehicle drivers

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Evans Christopher Sumitra, UDUPI/NEW YORK,USA.

    Sat, Jan 16 2016

    Let everyone adhere to this ROAD SAFETY WEEK thoughout the year as many lives are lost due to bad roads and rash and negligent drivers. Thousands of them are injured and made them helpless. NGO, the police department and other agengies are doing their best to avoid such incidents. Thanks to Ramesh Pandith and Bhaskar K R for the pictures which will enlighten the state of affairs.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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