And for another Friday with millions of Indians getting driving licenses, some thoughts….. some musings…..
India has the second largest road network behind US and ahead of China. Every day, average of 40 kms of new Expressways are added. The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, undoubtedly one of the most efficient, result oriented and outspoken politicians, has hit the nail on its head. Quote – “whilst all of us can be proud of the fast pace of infrastructure and construction of roads, we hang our heads in shame with the largest number of fatalities due road accidents” – Unquote. More than 5 lakh people died/fatally injured last year alone. Whilst there could be multiple reasons, but most accidents are due to callousness and not following the traffic rules and procedures. But if just one most critical reason is identified, it is the huge corruption at RTO offices in issuing licenses, clearing vehicle fitness and monitoring two wheelers on expressways. Truck drivers are the ATMs for errant Police and RTO staff.
With the explosion of two wheelers, four wheelers and commercial vehicles including huge road haulers and given India’s demographic profile, society at large must rise to the occasion. Road accidents are too serious to be just left to the politicians and Corrupt Babus. We need to learn from Japan, Germany and US, how tough it is to get a driving license. Basic minimum literacy levels, ability to understand all road signals, Safety First, Safety Last must be enforced. In some jurisdictions, digitalisation for licenses has been tried. But all are involved in milking and corruption. Hence somehow the old systems are always restored. Hence civil society must get involved in the process. Audit of the RTOs and licensing must be done by an independent agency, which should include citizens of impeccable reputation, like retired Corporate Chiefs, Judges and Diplomats. Retired people are settled across the country and will be happy to be involved in Nation building and helping clean-up the system.
Road safety is no longer a “there and then” issue. It’s “Here and Now”. Tomorrow it could be us, for no fault of ours. Let’s get involved in road safety, the knowledgeable way, the technology way, the SEEGOS way.