Open Access Research Article
INDIAN ROAD CULTURE (By- Sanika Javdekar)
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Article Details
INDIAN ROAD CULTURE
Authored By- Sanika Javdekar
Abstract
This article sheds light upon how
the road culture has changed over the years. What an excessive number of
vehicles, environmental conditions and lenient supervision of defaulters have
led to commotions and frequent tense situations of the road resulting into time
wastage, energy consumption and reduction of productivity. It is both stressful
for the driver as well as the policemen to handle such extreme road traffic.
This article will provide a glimpse of what the Motor Vehicle Act,1988 is, it’s
important provisions, what it contents and how much of an impact it has on the
Indian Road Culture.
Introduction
“Time is irretrievable” who better
to know this than Indians with a vehicle! India has evolved in numerous ways
but one of the rigid things it couldn’t change about itself is the road rage.
During old times, everything was minimalistic and controlled, the people, their
cars and their insanity. However, the fast pacing “city life” has lost
boundaries any possible road culture. With increasing economic liberty,
population and unhealthy work-life balance, we often witness vehicles clamped
up against each other, standing still for hours or simply, every driver’s
nightmare, road rage. Road rage suavely means, “sudden violent anger provoked
in a motorist by the actions of the driver.” Moreover, it is nothing but
motorists releasing their negative emotions in the most extreme way. Indian
road culture has been a reason of avoidance by quite a few people. It drains
humans emotionally, physically and mentally resulting into less energy and
productivity.
Laws
The Motor Vehicles Act,
1988, which is an Act of the Indian Parliament, covers almost all aspects of
road transport vehicles in great detail. Since July 1, 1989, the Act has been
in effect. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1939 and the Motor Vehicles Act of 1914
came before it. It offers a wide range of laws covering most of the
important aspects. It includes some of the substantial laws like:
Section 113: This section enforces the law
regarding the weight that’s permitted to be carried by a vehicle.
Section 112: This section
imposes the law regarding the maximum speed at which a motor vehicle can be
driven.
Section 129: The section
which imposes the law of motor cyclists having to wear helmet while riding.
Section 134: This section
deals with the duty of a driver of a vehicle to report an accident to the
police and aid the injured by getting medical attention.
Section 185: This section
refers to the law which forbids drivers to drive under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.
This act widely talks about everything from acceptance to
revocation of a license, the requirements of a fit driver, powers of Central
and State governments to make rules, registration of motor vehicles, permits,
maintenance of motor vehicles, special provisions, vehicles temporarily leaving
the country’s boundaries and insurance and liabilities. Motor Vehicles Act,
1988 does try to encompass majority of laws pertaining to and ensuring road
safety. Great measures like heavy fine for the defaulters, inspection of
harmful vehicles for the environment and for travellers’ safety, Government
funds, excellent infrastructure have sure tried to bring a sense of
responsibility amongst the drivers. With respect to that, in a statement
realised by Ministry of Road Transportation and Highways there has been a
reduction till -18% of road accidents and mishaps.[1]
What is interesting that despite such laws there still takes place a number of
accidents and commotions which still need to be worked on. So, has the execution
of this act and its rules botched? What we see in today’s time, road ethics and
tensions haven’t reduced to a level where travelling in a city or at times
outside becomes pleasant. Often, due to road size, environmental conditions or
unsupervised traffic drivers find themselves halting at a spot for hours!
Though the Ministry has taken efforts to beautify the roads, widen them and
encourage people to use public transport the ever-increasing population and
purchasing power falls short to give us a definite solution to road blockages.
Conclusion
Irony strikes when we compare the provisions of the
act with a practical approach. With beautiful infrastructure and safety
measures, we as citizens can ensure that we use public transport as much as
possible, carpooling is another great option to reduce the traffic tensions and
most importantly request the authorities to have all the roast supervised
during the peak hours at least. More strict supervision of defaulters,
introducing technology to ascertain systematic and quick flow of traffic,
barriers on narrow roads as well so that there are no cross vehicles, rallies
and hoardings promoting the laws of Motor Vehicle Act, so that civilians are
aware of the rights and duties they owe are some of the measure’s authorities
may implement. Motor Vehicles Act,1988 still has a number of areas to touch
upon one of which being road rage, or even the number of cars permitted per
household. With collective efforts from the government and civilians we can
make daily travelling peaceful and joyous.
Article Information
INDIAN ROAD CULTURE (By- Sanika Javdekar)
Authors: Sanika Javdekar
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2022/07/15
- Volume 2
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Access Open Access
- License CC 4.0
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