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Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of
Mapusa of the 1950s
http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426
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Hello goanetters,
We should know by now, that "Goa's appalling Road Sense" is just a mirror of
India's (Mario Goveia's Super Power to be?) appalling Road Sense and all the
other Nonsense in India. This is true Integration indeed!
Jaipur goes as the Indian city with the largest number of animals on the
road! Goa is emulating fast! We have cows and stray rabid dogs galore on the
roads and on the Beaches, around restaurants, and garbage dumps in our towns
and villages; Because Humans do not have road sense, these animals are
allowed to 'Claim' our road space which has failed to keep up.
Open and overflowing garbage Bins? and dumps near schools and bus stations
and even next to police stations, like in Margao. Spitting, shitting
anywhere and everywhere is the hallmark, all over India and whilst this
nonsense was at least under control, during the Portuguese regime; it is now
hopelessly out of control; what with the thousands of non Goan Indians
habituated to this nonsense, pouring into Goa for work or as tourists.
As for Road Sense, be it for drivers or pedestrians, the less said the
better. It is awful, and this part of 'sense' as well as 'civic sense'
prevailing in India is due to our ancient Culture which fails to evolve into
modern and keep up with the times.
Goa's Traffic Cops! They are corrupt! They are not knowledgeable enough
either, and they have not the acumen to try and bring discipline on the
roads and enfoce the law. They complain of shortage of staff and whatever,
only after they are found to be not doing their work. Why do these cops not
bring out a list of shortages and learn about modern traffic management etc.
Do they or the GOG have any sort of Plan or Statergy to combat the
indiscipline and the continual breaking of the law, on our roads? NO, but
WHY?
I was shocked to read about the traffic cop saying that there is no policing
of road traffic after dark!!! This is a horrendous lapse of duty; at night
when most accidents and other traffic offenses are taking place regularly;
there should be more policing by night, until the situation is brought under
control. But No! looks like our cops have to go and have their drink? and or
collect their haptha?
This use of one headlight is not something new or rare; it has become a part
of life for many a truck and Van owners and drivers;
Is this is the real 'INCREDIBLE INDIA" that India is advertising abroad? Is
it? I would hope not.
And we find the cops not doing anything about it. Why! Is it not their
'DUTY' to uphold the law and prevent accidents? The cops very well know who
the offenders are. Why are their vehicles not impounded and fined until
compliance?
I have seen almost all 'Water Tankers' plying on Goa's roads driven with no
'rear lights' at all!
Non dipping and using high beam continuosly and one eyed trucks and cars
too, are almost the norm rather than rare! What a state of affiars!
INCREDIBLE INDEED!
So what is the Solution? This is not easy! We have to start from teaching
the Traffic Cops, the Driving Teachers, the polis and the public about road
sense from the 'ABC' the very begining! There is no other way!
All drivers must carry their photo driving license at all times, no excuses!
and must be issued with driving rules from the begining; and properly
trained and made to understand the implications of the rules and the
importance of observing these in letter and spirit.
All drivers including those already with a valid license should be made to
compulsorily undergo, Driving classes, where theory and rules are re-taught
and given a Video demonstation of 'Driving' and allied road sense and road
types etc.
New drivers should be strictly graded into 'probationary, interim and full
license. Those without a 'Full License' should be barred from driving at
night and also on the (so called) Highways! All owners of cars and other
vehicles should be checked for having a drving license. One will quickly
find so many driving without even having a license. These drivers should be
fined Rs 1000/- and their vehicles impounded. These measures and more are of
utmost neccessity, if there is going to be some sanity on the roads.
Not forgetting those many interstate drivers! All vehicles entering and
leaving Goa should be compulsorily checked for vehicle safety, lights and
driving license etc. In this case also. non compliance should result in
impounded vehicles at least for two days. these harsh measures are
neccessary to bring about discipline and compliance. Otherwise 'Incredible
India' becomes a sham!
Before I go, let me tell you, that non residents, Indian or foreign, have to
have a prior 'international driving license' from and issued by their
country of residence; and this and their normal driving license together
allows them to drive in the countries where the international validity is
shown. With these u are allowed to drve in India. No problem at all; this is
the law! Any deviation from this means that there is corruption. I myself
had to unneccessarily part with Rs 500/- before finding out that what I have
said before is the requirement.
Bye now. More on this and other topics later.
Nascimento Caldeira
Melbourne
Down Under
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