This refers to the letter "Importance of counsellors in reducing road accidents" (FE- March 28). More than 1.2 million people are killed in road accidents worldwide, every year. It is not the speed but poor road conditions and inconsiderate pedestrians that cause the frequent road accidents and subsequent fatalities. Very often, it is the result of an unaddressed pothole that exists for months or some uneven or rough patches of road, sometimes caused by the government agencies that dig up roads but do not repair those in time. The most important way to bring down accidents is strict enforcement of speed limits. Ninety per cent of road accidents can be avoided by strict enforcement of speed limits. Heavy penalty should be imposed on all those who cross speed limits. If this is strictly implemented, nobody will dare move at high speed. Existing speed limits should be brought down further. Safety awareness should begin from childhood, as it is difficult to raise awareness to a grown up human being. If safety awareness is imparted in childhood, it will become a habit. Advertisements by automobile companies which include scenes of dangerous and risky riding or driving should be banned. Youngsters are likely to imitate the same. Road safety should be a mandatory topic for school projects for all classes, every year.
Vinod C. Dixit
B-15 Jyotikalash Society
Jodhpur Tekra, S. M. Road
Ahmedabad, India
dixitpatrakar@yahoo.in
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