Mumbai’s road demons must be stopped

The students of MMK college organised a seminar on reckless driving for college students from across Mumbai. While the students came up with a
number of questions for the panelists, the experts were insightful in their comments on drink driving. Speak Up captures the debate

Respect the law
One can be penalised for a number of road offences like speeding, lane-cutting, drinking and driving, and driving while talking on a cell phone.

The Mumbai traffic police try their level best to minimise such incidents. However, the most we can do is penalise offenders, or put them in prison. In fact, our punishments are less harsher than other countries like Turkey, where the offenders of drunken driving are taken 10 miles away from the city and made to walk back with escorts.

But, what the Mumbai police aim to do is create a respect for the law, and not fear. I hope that every Mumbaikar cares, not only for his own life, but also for those of his fellow citizens.

 —Amarjeet Singh. Assistant Commissioner of Police. Traffic

Drunk driving isn’t cool
As youngsters, we tend to take reckless driving lightly. We think that drinking and driving is a sign of being cool.

However, we should realise that it can have hazardous effects - the worst being where you not only hurt yourself, but others as well. We may go away scot-free after that, using illegal methods.

However, we are leaving a vacuum behind in some family, which cannot be filled that easily. Drinking and driving are two separate things, and should be dealt with separately. We should respect the lives of people around us.

However, the responsibility for proper guidance, lies not only with the child, but also with the parents. 

 —Siddhanth Karnik.  Actor

Change thinking
It is nice to see youngsters set up meets like this and talk about reckless driving. Allister Pereira killed people who were not drunk. Why kill innocent people because of drink driving?

The seriousness of road accidents will be amplified if we ask ourselves how many people who we know have suffered because of them. We are making great progress in every field, but the number of lives lost due to road accidents is increasing too.

The rates are alarming, and our country can't afford to lose so many lives because with lives, money is lost. Rash and negligent driving is equally bad because it comes from a chalta hain attitude. 

—Prasad Mahajan.  Deputy Transport Commissioner

Please wear a helmet
I am a victim of reckless driving. A car had just crashed into another and was heading towards me. The driver was trying to escape, and had turned to see if the victim was alive. He lost control and smashed into my bike.

I was flipped upside down, and landed on the pavement. I took a few stitches in the back of my head, fractured my back and got bruises on my legs and hands. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, but didn't realise my mistake because I thought it was destiny.

Recently, I read a poem that made me realise that my family would have been destroyed had I died in the accident. I want people to realise that wearing a helmet is very, very important. 

—Sumit Advani.  Reckless driving victim

Alcohol is the enemy
The most important reason for reckless driving is the lack of discipline among drivers. Many of us, especially today's youth, try to impress our friends by speeding vehicles. However, elders too need to be blames and they need to shoulder some responsibility. Driving needs the utmost concentration on the part of the driver. Alcohol is the enemy of a driver. It dilutes our blood within no time. Due to this, our body needs more time to react. It is very sad to note that almost all youngsters are addicted to alcohol and mobiles today. They should try and understand that driving is not just limited to the operation of a clutch, break or a steering wheel; there is a lot more to it.  —PN Helekar.
 CEO, Helekars Defensive Driving Mission

Police should be harsh
These days, parents feel very proud when their kids drive vehicles at a very young age. This is the wrong mentality to have. They need to be a little cautious and execute some sort of control on their kids, until they become mature enough to be given a car or a bike. Reckless driving is an attitudinal problem among teenagers. It is very important to educate the youth on such issues, which can instill fear in them. Driving needs mental stability and proper emotional health. People who are impulsive by nature should avoid driving as it can lead to accidents. A driver should be well-tested before being handed a license. Police should take harsh measures against those who break rules.  —Harish Shetty.
 Psychologist