A Shout For Change
Hyderabad’s Traffic- Major suggestions
This is a letter I wrote to the editor of Deccan Chronicle (India). It was printed on Page2, albeit after lots of modifications to the original.
Here is the original :
It is a known fact that Hyderabad's traffic is a nightmare. But I'd like to add that its the traffic police's grave negligence all these years that has led to this pathetic situation. Traffic police of Hyderabad, or any other place for that matter, has little or no control over people/vehicles. I notice this esp. since I just returned from the US where drivers are frightened at the very sight of a traffic cop. They have fear of penalty, and the fear of being jailed, and their license being suspended.
First, Motorists should be penalised and threatened of driving license cancellation if they don't have their current address on their licenses. This ensures that violators don't escape punishment. Second, I suggest having traffic cops with on motorbikes capable of very high speeds, and fitted with radars, deployed at various points of the city. These cops should be able to catch traffic violators, and issue a ticket/challan that need not be paid at the time of being ticketed. This would avoid some corruption. Motorists should be issued warnings, and fined upon second violation. Motorists who do not stop for these cops should be frighteningly chased and arrested so that it becomes a major deterrent for all future violators.
Violation doesn't just mean jumping of signals or not wearing a helmet or use of a mobile. Violation must include all terms like speeding over limit - speeding at 55kmph at a 50kmph zone must attract a violation, rash driving, drunken driving, crossing the line to drive on the other side of the road (as it happens on major flyovers), not stopping for pedestrians at pedestrian crossings etc. In other words, a basic traffic sense must be instilled not through education, but by brutal penalties, and creation of fear. Fear, I noticed is the only form of bringing discipline into any mankind.
It would also largely help if all our driver licenses were in the form of IDs that could be swiped to retrieve all information about the driver and his/her past driving history.
Widening of roads, though essential, is not the only solution to all traffic woes. Proper sidewalks must be built, so motorists don't climb these when roads fill up. Roads must have clear lane markings, and yellow markings to distinguish two sides of the road. At every junction lanes must be earmarked for traffic turning or going straight. For ex- people from the leftmost lane mustn't turn right. Every road - major or minor must have clearly indicated speed limits. Existing speed limits must be revised to reflect realistic traffic speed limits. Traffic signals at all junctions, major or minor must work at all times of the day. Signs and signboards must be put up at all roads and streets indicating the current road, and directions to other places.
These suggestions, I know, require lot of changes to our ancient traffic laws, and also require major effort and co-ordination among the government, police, GHMC, and the traffic police. These measures could be initially started with the city roads, then later implemented on highways, and other cities and towns of the state.
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August 10, 2008 - 3:13 am
But coming straight to the point, I think a system has a capacity to take load and things go wrong when the growth rate of load overtakes the growth rate of system. Ditto is the case with traffic, the roads were not meant to handle so much. So why not get out of the CAR instead. All techies have so much of money to buy a CAR but few have the money to buy an additional bike.Just think,with just 45,000 Rupees or say 4500 EMI you reduce the area occupied on the road by atleast 3 times. Even one day in a week will help 20% reduction. So why not start a campaign on the lines of “8-8-8-8″ of switching of lights. This theme would raise enviromental consciousness as well.