The Delhi police has always been amongst the best police forces in the country and has enjoyed a very distinguished record except when in 1984 it was unable to enforce law and order following the break out of the anti-Sikh riots. That shall always remain the blackest chapter in the history of this force. However, in the present times, it needs to do a lot of innovations in order to ensure the safety of the citizens. For instance, the Traffic police is engaged in imposing penalties on those who infringe the rules. There is a huge fine for passengers in the rear seats not wearing seat belts as also for other offences. However, what is missing is that before commencing any drive, as it used to happen in the past, an education initiative should always be taken to acquaint the citizens what could be the consequences of their actions. The Traffic police earlier would put out advertisements in the newspapers and also distribute pamphlets in order to educate the people. Nothing of this nature has been happening. Instead, the police appear to be more interested in challaning the defaulters. The accusation which is often made against the cops is that they first conceal themselves in places which are not visible and then surprise the motorists who infringe the law. Many times, when the traffic situation is very bad, they are not visible to ease the flow of vehicles. The charge is that after the penalties for the traffic offences has increased many times, some of the errant policemen strike a bargain with the defaulters and allow them to go after collecting one fourth of the amount and not putting the matter on record. If this is happening, it is the duty of senior officers to implement the rules and weed out the cops who are indulging in such illegal activities. The question is of meticulous supervision. The Traffic police has been initiating drives for educating citizens for many many years. I can recall that while I was in school, a Head Constable would come every Thursday to acquaint the students of the dos and don’ts on the road. I vividly remember some of the lessons. One was that when you cross the road, you should always do it a little distance away from a parked vehicle so the traffic which is approaching is visible. Secondly the pedestrians should walk on the footpath facing the oncoming traffic so in case any vehicle strays off the road, they can take evasive action. Third was that when pedestrians cross the roads at night, they can see the oncoming car because of its headlights. However, the driver may not be able to spot them till he is a little distance away and thus may find it difficult to slow down his vehicle if the speed is high. There used to traffic parks, one at Punjabi Bagh and other at Baba Kharak Singh Marg where children were taught the rudiments of traffic movement and the signages. The Traffic police can always associate itself with the Automobile Association of Upper India, (AAUI) a body that has been doing very good service in respect of road safety. The AAUI has been patronized by top functionaries of the Delhi and Union government and its president T.K. Malhotra is a very committed and resourceful gentleman. The Traffic police should always remember that safety is of utmost priority and fines and penalties come after that.
Pankaj Vohra