Mitigating Road Accidents in Kashmir

RK News
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12 Dec 2025

KHAIRUNNISA AGA A substantial devastation of precious life is caused by road traffic accidents worldwide, whereas such a loss of human life is preventable. According to a report, statistics presented in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament show Jammu and Kashmir witnessed 6092 road accidents and more than four thousand deaths between 2018 and 2022. With the evidence in view, the worrying rise in the accidents and fatalities related to it in Kashmir has numerous reasons. Although rules and regulations play a vital role in preventing these fatalities, there is a need to employ a more empathetic approach in understanding the measures of prevention. Traffic rules are guidelines that govern the use of public roads and ensure safety. Knowledge of traffic rules and regulations is essential for a vehicle driver. It is, ideally, tested before the issuance of a driving licence. However, in recent years, various road accidents have occurred that highlight a lack of understanding of the rules or simple non-compliance. A Thar met with an accident, driven by a minor, who was rushing and racing. Bikes unveil fatality and turn roads into a hotspot of danger. Reasons for such accidents include plain negligence, such as not wearing safety gear, underage riders, indifference to regulations, and impulsive overtaking of others. The indication of car indicators is universal, but here, drivers mostly use them either to signal their own direction to other drivers or leave them unattended. The tricky part is that rules are in place, but they are easily overlooked. An alarming experience that I want to underline here is the responsibilities of pedestrians. In any kind of road accident, motorist is blamed, in some cases they also face lynching. The responsibility of the pedestrian is never discussed. In this part of the world 'look right and left' before crossing the road when a car is not coming, does not work. People tend to show their hands to a motorist and jump in front of a speeding car, without sounding the horn, and no one bothers to consider that the car is a machine that could potentially go out of human control. God forbid, if the driver is female, then the harassment is obligatory. Any slur is an available option, assault, stalking, and privacy breaching follow. Women have experienced that even universal traffic rules can change; for instance, women are often blamed if traffic halts for any reason, and they are not allowed to pass easily. Bodies that regulate traffic are confined to issuing challans; there is negligible deployment of the traffic police in areas outside the city centre. Passenger buses halt, causing a standstill to the entire traffic that is following. Due to heavy traffic on narrow roads, the passage of carriages carrying patients, workers, and students is difficult. There are no dedicated crossings where motorists and pedestrians could have an affinity. Dedicated parking areas in the smart city charge hefty fees but are a relief, while there are no parking areas outside of it. Exclusion of women cops from the traffic regulation limits the normalisation of women motorists. Although the traffic infrastructure is in poor condition and non-motorable roads cause devastating accidents as happened recently in Budgam. In addition to this, absence of trauma centres, road side assistance to accidents and also no innovative attention to harsh weather conditions and even the clear marks and signage of caution are not available or not visible so that the most vulnerable are saved. Education, awareness, and sensitisation about traffic rules are almost negligible. Jumping signals can be lucrative in terms of generating revenue, but the jump is life-threatening. People crossing any major junction, such as the Hyderpora signal, create chaos once the signal turns green. Here, the concept of lane driving is absent, resulting in passing traffic creating a scissor effect. Roads painted with directional arrows could educate drivers and facilitate a smooth flow of commuters. Alongside the juggernaut of security forces and police cavalcade, there is one imposing yellow danger that puts several lives at risk. I am referring to the school buses and small vans that transport young children to their schools. Drivers of these vehicles imitate the driving style of the military vehicles that are going to war; speedy, imposing, trespassing and with absolutely no sense for the safety of those little kids sitting inside. The vans are usually equipped with lower safety ratings, and in the rush to meet deadlines, they risk human lives. Therefore, a sense of empathy and responsibility from all stakeholders can prevent the loss of human life caused by road traffic accidents. Driving on a road should mean a strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations. Awareness and coordination are the vital keys to bringing a monopoly not of commuters, pedestrians, or the police and other regulatory bodies, but only the rule of law. And unless the rule of law is demystified and made comprehensible as a set of rules and rights, it remains confined to courtrooms and texts. A gender-sensitive traffic system should not be a distant dream. (Author is a columnist and can be reached at: khairunnisaaga@gmail.com)