Editorial
Lanes on the roads
Enforcing the rules is all-important
THE emphasis that has been placed of late on improving traffic conditions in the city is surely welcome. It is a sign of how seriously the authorities, especially those in the traffic police department, are looking at the problem. And now that they have come up with plans for a three-lane based movement of vehicular traffic, all we can say is that we as citizens desperately hope the measure yields results. Indeed, that there should be different lanes on the roads is a given anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, in our instance, the idea of lanes, despite being there all the time, has not quite worked owing to a multiplicity of reasons. Such a condition cannot any more be permitted to continue, for reasons that should be obvious.
Envisaging three lanes to allow for unhindered movement of a varied category of vehicles now raises the question of what needs to be done in order for the plan to be implemented. A major point that must not be overlooked is speed. There has never been any indication over the years of whether the traffic authorities have any rules relating to speed limits. One is sure they do, but now comes the matter of whether the police will enforce them enough to convince vehicle users they cannot get away with any flouting of them. With that comes the matter of road space vehicles can use without hindrance. As things stand, a very large number of roads are occupied in various ways, so much so that road space gets to be severely limited. The authorities should, in light of their new plans, first ensure that the space already lost is recovered before lanes can be used without impediment. That done, it becomes necessary that motivation come from the traffic police where educating vehicle users is concerned. Unless people on their own learn to respect the rules, no step toward traffic control will work.
Which brings us to the question of what the authorities mean to do on their own. If they are of the opinion that minibuses as well as old vehicles should be taken off the streets, they should be in a position to enforce their plans. That is important if the congestion and the recklessness of drivers on the roads is to be brought to an end.
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