Driving culture we need to learn

The phrase “street culture” is often misunderstood. People may think it refers to street food, streetwear, or hip-hop music, which are part of the new-generation urban lifestyle. However, the “street culture” mentioned by the High Court the other day is something entirely different. The court was referring to the cruelty of drivers who show no consideration for pedestrians on the road, ignoring them even at zebra crossings. The court pointed out that we completely lack the basic sense of discipline and culture that must be followed on the roads. Following this, Transport Commissioner C.H. Nagaraju issued special instructions to officials. As per the new direction, strict action, including cancellation of driving licences, will be taken against those who fail to give way at zebra crossings.

The court’s strong stand is based on alarming statistics. In the first ten months of this year alone, 218 people in the state died after being hit by vehicles while crossing the road at zebra lines. The High Court highlighted this while hearing petitions related to road safety. The court also noted that carelessness and negligence among drivers start right from their driving training period. Trainers often do not teach anything about the importance of zebra crossings or proper behaviour near them. Some drivers do not even know why those white lines are painted across the road. Even during the driving test, awareness of zebra crossing rules is rarely checked.

It is unfortunate that many people obtain a driving licence without knowing that pedestrians have the first right of way at zebra crossings. Some even park their vehicles on the zebra lines. Justice Devan Ramachandran has ordered strict action against such violators. The court also instructed authorities to install signals and warning boards well ahead of zebra crossings so drivers can see pedestrians crossing from a distance. Although the court suggested deploying traffic officers at zebra crossings, this may be difficult to implement everywhere due to staff shortages. The key need is to build a culture of discipline and respect on the roads.

This culture must be taught from school itself. Children should learn not just about traffic rules but also about the importance of giving priority to pedestrians and safe driving habits. When children understand these values, they will point out violations when travelling with their parents. Over time, this can help build a strong road culture. By the time they become eligible for a driving licence, they will already know the basics of responsible behaviour on the road. While strict laws are necessary to curb careless driving, what we need most is a human approach- respect for others, care for elderly pedestrians, and a responsible road culture that combines discipline with kindness.