I agree only to an extent with Valmiki in that I think he has not quite addressed the entire problem.
I do feel there is a lot more we can do about this appalling situation that seems to be going out of hand. We have all heard of Salman Khan' causing an accident while in a state of being drunk and later of the VP of Citibank who, in similar circumstances killed a watchman in Mumbai. In other words, if you are some body the Press trumpets the News on the Front Pages - if not , it is not worth a dime. What are we saying?? Something becomes news worthy - only if one is a Big Shot.?? Life otherwise is not worth even a short Report? So what happens to the many many who lose their lives or are required to be hospitalized for months together ??- just because the accident was casqued by an incompetent Fool who drives on our Roads like a lunatic - it does not matter?? Has one considered the precious Life Lost ? Have we considered what it does to the family? Have we considered what happens if he is the only earning member of the family? I have yet to see any newspaper talk about what action the Police have taken to the person committing an accident when death or serious injury has occurred. I have yet to hear any IGP making a Press statement that he would initiate an Enquiry into the matter and bring the perpetrators to Justice. And what is Justice here - does he get a jail term? If so, for how long ? Does he have to pay the Family any compensation - if so how much? What is the value of Life ? Has someone put a figure to it? Does the Family 9 again if Poor ever take the person to Court? How does the Court dispense Justice? and How long does it take to do so? Does the Police confiscate or invalidate the Driving License ? For how long? What if the guy is caught driving again without a license? Is there a more severer form of penalty? What if the person is caught drinking and driving.? Have the applicable Tests been conducted on suspected alcoholics or drug addicts? or has he already sobered down by the time the police arrive on the scene? What Penalties ,if any, are meted out to Policemen who do not perform their duties as expected by law.What penalties are imposed if they are caught accepting a Bribe? These questions remain unanswered as it appears no body cares or bothers anymore. But the the public need to Know . Parrikar and his BJP/RSS party not too long ago, decided that they would close down the Mandovi Bridge for a few Hours - Policemen were standing and watching the situation. No action or attempt was made to make the roads accessible to the Public? If our leaders get away with such irresponsible Action Is that not an incentive for our Youth to also behave as if No Law applies to them. I think it is time for the People to WAKE up and make their Voices heard. We should demand for more stringent penalties that are visible and applied - so that it becomes an effective deterrent. We must insist on effective police bandobust at all critical heavy traffic hours - The RTO must make sure that Licenses are withdrawn/suspended if the licensee does not follow established Traffic Rules. Newspapers must follow up cases especially where death or Serious Injury has occurred so that the Public are aware that ACTION has been taken in good time and where not taken then the papers must Campaign strongly for speedy action. Where will the Funds come from : If we introduce Heavy Penalties for those who Drive beyond the indicated Speed Limits, Drink and Drive, serious rash driving then 50% of the penalties so collected should be given to the Police who catch such Drivers. I think we Must institute Awards to Citizens who Help Accident victims and take the trouble of ensuring the person caught is booked by the police. The balance of the monies so collected should be given to Journalists and the citizens who keep the public informed of such situations or help the pOlice to identify such Drivers so we can all be sure that we are working towards the common cause. So then we can all help make a a difference. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Read all Goanet messages at: http://www.goanet.org/archive.php?name=News&list=goanet _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected]) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
