Dr Asangba Tzudir
Road accidents in Nagaland especially in the commercial hub Dimapur has become a regular feature. Every now and then, there are cases of road accidents because of various reasons like drunken driving, over speeding, distractions like talking over phone while driving, avoiding safety gears like seat belts and helmets, non-adherence to lane driving and wrong lane overtaking, and so on. Now, one among the prominent preventive measures was setting the speed limit but which finds constantly violated except in places where the condition of the road itself does not allow speeding.
The coming of four-lane in Dimapur has paved the way for over speeding and thrill driving especially for two wheelers. This has also paved the way for the increase in the number of road accidents. Early in the morning or late evening into the night when traffic is not so heavy, the road literally becomes a Formula1 or MotoGP racing track. The four lane in particular has been serving a dual purpose, and which has set a very dangerous precedent. . While good roads have really added to the travel convenience besides really cutting down on travel time, it also comes with its share of associated dangers of road accidents and where life is at stake.
While enforcement of strict rules and measures are necessary to put deterrence on defaulters, there is need for greater awareness to be imparted to the general public on the road safety rules. Yes conscious efforts towards creating awareness on road safety measure have been initiated by the concerned department, but often the ‘weakness of the will’ plays spoilsport. As such, it is the human character that needs to be disciplined, so that road safety rules are followed, not because certain forms of fines and punishment is imposed but followed bound by duty as a moral obligation for the safety of everyone.
Just because one has learnt how to drive doesn’t mean that he or she has also acquired the temperament that is required of a skilled driver. Any driver needs to have a character and simply knowing how to drive or getting a drivers license actually does not qualify one to become a driver and hit the roads. It takes years to develop the character, the temperament that is required of a driver. One of which is patience which forms one of the core trait of a driver. Heavy traffic, construction materials placed by the roadside, wrong parking, overtaking one’s vehicle, unnecessary honking from behind, etc. are issues that really tests the patience of any driver. But, impatience will only lead to unnecessary aggression which might lead to taking bad or hasty decisions resulting in accidents
Another very important aspect is about responsible driving. One cannot afford to have distractions. One distraction being mobile phones, and avoiding it while driving is also the mark of a responsible driver. The real test of responsibility also comes when conditions are poor for driving especially when it is foggy. Proper knowledge of the operation manuals is also necessary to deal with situations when conditions are foggy. Thus in the making of a good driver, a lot of things comes into play beyond the simply basic knowledge of driving.
While wearing seat belts and helmets should become a lifestyle while driving, what is also important is to develop the character and the temperament required of a good driver because avoidance of accidents simply cannot come only from following traffic rules. Also, there is need for certain policy measures, an instance being the issuance of driver’s license. Now, there is a regulation that one can apply for a permanent driving license after 30 days and within 180 days of issuance of learner’s license. This is too short a time frame and needs a review on the duration. Those with natural endowment may learn how to drive in a day’s time but it takes years to develop that character and temperament required of a good driver and calls for more time on the issuance of permanent driver’s license.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir writes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com).
