Are We Learning from Road Accidents?

It has been more than a week since the tragic road accident in Srinagar claimed the lives of two young boys and left another fighting for survival. The incident was a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving besides broader consequences of violating traffic laws. While there have been some efforts to address these issues, a close look at our roads reveals a grim reality: little has changed.

The traffic police have stepped up their task, issuing fines for violations and seizing vehicles from offenders. Petrol pumps have also shown some responsibility, with signs declaring they won’t sell fuel to minors or riders without helmets. A few drivers appear to be more cautious, perhaps momentarily shaken by the recent events. However, these measures seem to be superficial in their impact. The underlying culture of recklessness on our roads persists, with violations occurring as frequently as ever.

Recently driving across the city and outskirts, I could see that the fundamental issues remain unchanged. Minors continue to drive two- and four-wheelers with alarming rush, and most of them do so without wearing helmets. Despite the tragedy, the sight of teenagers speeding through busy streets remains common.

On the Boulevard Road, I noticed roadside signs clearly indicating a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h for light motor vehicles. Ironically, almost every vehicle was speeding far beyond this limit. Reckless overtaking and weaving through traffic lanes were rampant. Young boys on bikes, in particular, could be seen taking shortcuts through lanes and by-lanes, dodging traffic police in a perilous game of cat and mouse. Wrong parking continues to choke vital thoroughfares, causing unnecessary congestion and endangering pedestrians. Over-speeding remains a common feature on city roads, as drivers flaunt their disregard for speed limits and basic safety norms. Despite repeated warnings and initiatives, it seems that we, as a society, are stubbornly insane traffic violators. Moreover, enforcement, though visible, remains inconsistent. Traffic police faces immense challenges in tackling the sheer volume of violators. While fines and vehicle seizures are necessary steps, they are not sufficient to instill a lasting sense of discipline. The system needs to be supported by widespread behavioral change, starting at home and extending to schools and society.

Parents, who should be the first line of accountability, still fail to monitor or control their children’s death-defying behavior. Parental negligence is as much a violation as the act of reckless driving itself. Every parent must ask: Are we raising law-abiding, responsible citizens or are we contributing to the chaos on our roads? Schools must integrate road safety education into their curricula, moving beyond token awareness programs to continuous engagement with students and parents. Teachers should address the broader cultural mindset that glorifies speed and recklessness. Traffic authorities must also ramp up their efforts. Heavier fines, stricter penalties and consistent enforcement are essential. However, they must go beyond punitive measures. Technology, such as CCTV cameras, speed monitors and digital tracking of violations, should be employed extensively to monitor and deter offenders.

The most troubling aspect of this whole situation is our collective apathy. Deaths on the road don’t seem to move us. The horrifying visuals from the recent accident, the loss of young lives and the grief of their families—all this is still not serving as a wake-up call. Instead, it risks becoming just another statistic in our growing ledger of road fatalities. The persistence of unsafe behavior on our roads suggests otherwise. Our roads reflect who we are as a community—reckless, impatient and indifferent to the value of life. Why are we so resistant to change, even when lives are at stake?

One reason could be our deep-rooted culture of entitlement and rule-breaking. Most people here think that they can do any damn thing and still go scot-free. The culture of impunity has seeped even in our daily lives. Many drivers, including minors, believe they are above the law. Parents, too, often indulge their children’s demands for vehicles without considering the detriment. This overindulgence promotes a sense of invulnerability, where rules become optional and consequences seem distant. Though, in the long run, it proves quite atrocious.