ROAD SAFETY: A moral imperative, not just a legal duty

The roads of Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed countless tragedies, and every lost life represents not just a personal loss but a collective failure. The recent tragic accident at Tengpora, where two young lives, Azeem and Hamaad, were lost, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk on our roads. Azeem, a boy with a bright future, and Hamaad, full of potential, leave behind a void that words cannot fill. This tragic accidents highlights the consequences of carelessness and the need for urgent action. 

Azeem’s name means “great” or “supreme,” a reflection of the sanctity of life —a life that was tragically cut short. His tragic end should remind us all of the supreme value of life, which must be protected at all costs. Hamaad’s death underscores the importance of moral responsibility in road safety. Yet, in Jammu and Kashmir, young lives are too often jeopardized. 

As the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), I have encountered numerous accident cases. The recurring theme is not a lack of education or awareness but a moral failure -a disregard for the value of life, even when it is in our hands to protect it. Negligence often stems not from inadequate laws but from individuals who, acting irresponsibly, endanger lives. While systemic constraints and laxities exist, addressing them requires separate deliberation. For now, my focus will remain on individual and collective moral responsibilities, the larger cause of it.

The deaths of Azeem and Hamaad were not simply the result of legal oversight but of a casual attitude toward the immense responsibility that comes with driving. Carelessness, such as parents allowing unlicensed juveniles to drive, has become alarmingly common in our society. Azeem, like many others, lacked a full understanding of the dangers he faced on the road.

I have long advocated for stronger measures to curb this menace. In this accident like all past such instances, where a juvenile took the wheel, I suggested invoking penalties for parents who entrust their unlicensed children with vehicles. Some of my friends swiftly reacted with shock calling it insensitive, harsh, questioning how we could punish grieving parents, as if the suggestion were blasphemous. While their compassion is commendable, it blinds us to a broader, more pressing issue: the moral duty to protect our children from harm, even from their own actions. One can understand the pain such unfortunate parents undergo, but to avoid such tragedies we need to look beyond compassion. It may not be the right time to blame the affected families, but for all others it is time to draw lessons. For the concerned system, it is time to think of a broader framework to stop such accidents from happening in future.  

Reducing road fatalities requires acknowledging that handing over keys to an unlicensed juvenile is not an act of love - it is an invitation to tragedy. Emotional responses cannot justify neglecting this responsibility. Road safety begins at home. Azeem’s and Hamaad’s deaths were preventable. Parents must ensure their children are properly trained and understand the weight of their responsibilities behind the wheel.

In our society, freedom is often equated with irresponsibility. The joy of watching a child drive is overshadowed by the failure to instil lessons of safety. A car is not a toy; it is a potentially deadly machine requiring respect, focus, and caution. Allowing children to drive without these principles is not ignorance - it is a moral lapse. 

The question, then, is not whether our roads are dangerous, but whether we, as a society, are serious enough about ensuring safety; not whether the enforcement agencies keep a round the clock vigil on nearly lacs of vehicles, but whether we abide by our duties. We must hold ourselves accountable. We cannot ignore the fact that negligence is deeply rooted in the permissive attitude we have towards road safety. It is high time we place moral duty above convenience. 

Parents, community leaders, religious preachers, and educators must do more than advocate for law enforcement. They must instil a deep respect for life and responsibility. Parents should never hand over car keys to unlicensed juveniles. Communities must reject the idea that some lives are dispensable. Religious leaders should deliver sermons emphasising commuter rights and safety. Schools should teach road safety not as a set of rules but as moral obligations.

If we are to change the current trajectory of preventable accidents, we must stop viewing road safety as merely a legal obligation. It is a moral duty that transcends the law and reflects the core of our values. Every time our children take the wheel, they must understand the sacred duty to protect life - their own and others’. 

Azeem’s life reminds us of the supreme value of life. Hamaad’s death calls us to cherish Allah’s blessings. Let us honor their memories by cultivating a culture that values life above all else. Let these tragedies not be reduced to mere statistics. We owe it to Azeem, Hamaad, and countless others to create a culture of responsibility and safety. It is time to stop passing the blame and shoulder  responsibility.

Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, KAS is Regional Transport Officer Kashmir