833 booked in Ernakulam for zebra crossing violations in November

Kochi: Pointing fingers at the gross violation which puts pedestrian safety at stake, 833 vehicles were found violating zebra crossing rules in Ernakulam in Nov alone. The majority of offenders were car drivers who failed to slow down and stop at least 3m away from the crossing when pedestrians were waiting to cross. The violations were mostly reported within city limits, according to the motor vehicles department (MVD).The drive against vehicles flouting zebra crossing rules began recently after a high court directive asked MVD to take strong action against erring drivers. Cases have been registered under Section 184 of Motor Vehicles Act on charges of dangerous driving, which carries a fine. It is up to the courts to decide on punishments in such cases. "It is found that most vehicles are hesitant to stop when they see pedestrians using zebra crossing. Some stop over the stop line. The state needs to set up effective pedestrian crossing facilities and introduce measures to ensure drivers stop away from the zebra crossing as stipulated in the rule. We have been asked to continue with the drive until govt comes up with strict measures in this direction," said an MVD official. Experts say a comprehensive overhaul is required to change the habits of drivers who ignore rules and pedestrians who jaywalk. They urge improvements in road infrastructure and stringent enforcement measures. "Unlike other countries, we face plenty of challenges, including a high population and high vehicle density which are more than the roads can accommodate. It is purpose or destination-driven driving that is followed by drivers here, and changing this habit requires stringent enforcement measures, including hefty fines, which should make them dreaded and serve as a deterrent. People who violate rules here go abroad and follow rules in every stratum. It is because of the fear of hefty fines. Besides improving pedestrian infrastructure on roads, we have to take immediate action against violators. Govt can bring a drastic change in the habits of drivers if we take strong enforcement actions focusing on pedestrian and two-wheeler safety for the next three years," said transport and road safety expert Adarshkumar Nair.He warned that as vehicle speeds increase, so will the risk of pedestrian fatalities. "Our body can endure the hit of a vehicle at 20km/h only. If a vehicle plies at a speed of 50km/h and hits a pedestrian, fatality chance of the latter is 85%, according to studies," he said, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure and enforcement measures.

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