Obersving the Road Safety Week, Traffic Police seek public co-operation
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 15
It is that time of the year when India observes the Road Safety Week. It is a time when the Traffic police soften its stance on violators, rather focussing on spreading awareness and sensitising commuters on the significance of obeying road etiquette.
Breaking lane, parking in ‘No Parking Zones’ and disregarding signals at traffic points are a few of the many instances of disobedience that Traffic police constables have to deal with, often without success.
“This week we have reduced the frequency of MVCP and have given more emphasis on spreading awareness,” stated ACP (Traffic Zone I) relaying the intent of the Road Safety Week, which is observed from January 11-17. One of its main objectives being to promote road safety measures in the community, schools, colleges, work places, on roads etc.
While the width of the roads remain unchanged, the number of vehicles grow and mishaps become frequent, the Traffic police have a harrowing time managing vehicular movement in a place (Dimapur) known to posses almost 2/3rd of the vehicle population in the state of Nagaland. It is further compounded by road users, who have a knack for flouting rules and disagreeing when confronted by enforcement personnel.
“People have a tendency to do things for one’s own convenience without considering the inconvenience the act would have on others,” said Lance Naik Nagatoli Chishi, who was inducted into the Dimapur Traffic police along with 26 other women personnel from the 15th NAP (IR) Mahila battalion in mid-2014.
This bunch of women has unsuspectingly become a beacon of the Dimapur Traffic police with the public in general welcoming their no-nonsense approach to the assigned task.
“Seriously, they are more efficient than their male counterparts,” was the remark of a police officer, who wished to remain anonymous.
Chishi and two other colleagues – Havildar Christy Kikon and Constable Niukali Yeptho - were granted a few minutes break from work on January 15 to share their experiences of managing traffic in Dimapur on the occasion of the Road Safety Week. The three, all in their 20s, said being women has been no deterrent to enforce the rules.
“We tend to be a bit more courteous in our approach… we try to refrain from being rude,” commented Niukali, when asked what makes them appealing to the public. That however does not imply that they are not firm in their resolve.
They have also had difficult days. Niukali recalled one incident when a man went ballistic after being asked to move out of a ‘No Parking Zone’. She said that the man was so enraged that he even beat his chest, adding that probably he could not stomach the thought of being ordered by a woman. The man eventually had to move his vehicle after backup arrived as Christy added, “When things go overboard we call for backup.” Then there are those who claim to be a son of a Minister or a high ranking official or an NPG member.
They also observed that students are not far behind when it comes to flouting of traffic rules, followed by middle-aged men. Asked how they deal with off-duty uniformed personnel flouting the rules, for instance not wearing helmets, they said that they have no option but to enforce the rule.
While acknowledging the significance of the Road Safety Week, they said that the awareness should go beyond the 7-day period. The message should reverberate all throughout the year in the minds of everybody, they said. “Help us to help you. Remember that by parking in a ‘No Parking Zone’ you are inconveniencing other commuters. And more so, general disregard for traffic rules endanger the lives of people on the road.”
