A proposal for a law is underway that a senior citizens of the country above a cut off age of 72 years will not be issued driving license. The step has been taken presumably to reduce road accidents.
So there are people who seriously think that old people are responsible for road accidents to a great extent. But what do all other citizens of the country think- Who is responsible for the road accidents in India?
· Is it not the teenager or youngster in early 20s, whose only ambition on road is to break his own record with regards to the timing taken to reach the destination.
· Is it not the 30s and 40s something who drives to office and takes it personally on his ego when someone manages to overtake him. So in order to protect his fragile ego, he makes the task of overtaking incredibly difficult, from either side of his vehicle.
· Is it that guy on the road whose aggressiveness follows him in his car, and he tries to overtake anywhere and everywhere. And if the person in front, did not give way to him the way with the treatment worthy of an emperor, he'll get in front of the car and press his brake real hard, so that it increases chances of the person behind learns a lesson.
· Or is it that lady who hasn't yet learnt driving properly and is out on the busy roads practicing; and hits a car from behind, and then blames the one in front for applying the brakes.
· Is it that guy on road who rides the bike as if he was riding it to win a race and forgets all about brakes and when the traffic suddenly stops, applies a screeching brake and, hits a vehicle and falls down from the bike. And then, in order to take the revenge, breaks the glass of the vehicle or get into a fight with the person in front.
· Is it the person in a tempo lorry who enjoys driving sideways rather than in a straight lane and in the turn leads to many jerky , screechy brakes by others.
· Is it the cab driver who drives the people to and from office at any time of the day or night and falls asleep on the highway driving at a high speed during middle of the night.
· Is it the driver who drives in the wrong lane at his convenience, and barges past you where you’ll least expect leaving you to struggle to control your vehicle.
. It it not the person who crosses the traffic light when it is gleaming red, and creates confusion for others on the road.
· Or is it the old people, past 72 years of age?
Agreed, the old people driving on the road may have slow reflexes, but have seen them driving slowly to suit their reflexes. So why is the anger against senior citizens of a certain age group? Why penalize someone whose role in the road accidents cannot be compared to the others whose driving licenses are more legalized. Old age in itself is a pain, and we increase the pain by making them handicapped, making them incapable to travel independently. How many homes with old people have chauffeurs available to drive their vehicles for them. Why are we making old people more dependent on younger ones? Why are we making them more prone to theft and robbery by increasing their dependency on drivers? And how safe anyways is keeping a driver for old people in a city like Delhi?
In a nutshell, few points worth pondering-
1. Are we prioritizing the reasons leading to a problem before making a law to resolve the problem.
2. Are we even trying to implement the laws which are already there. If yes, then how come everyday we see people driving in wrong lanes, skipping traffic lights and changing lanes without caring to look into the rear view mirrors?
2. Are we creating a new problem in our attempt to resolve another one?
So there are people who seriously think that old people are responsible for road accidents to a great extent. But what do all other citizens of the country think- Who is responsible for the road accidents in India?
· Is it not the teenager or youngster in early 20s, whose only ambition on road is to break his own record with regards to the timing taken to reach the destination.
· Is it not the 30s and 40s something who drives to office and takes it personally on his ego when someone manages to overtake him. So in order to protect his fragile ego, he makes the task of overtaking incredibly difficult, from either side of his vehicle.
· Is it that guy on the road whose aggressiveness follows him in his car, and he tries to overtake anywhere and everywhere. And if the person in front, did not give way to him the way with the treatment worthy of an emperor, he'll get in front of the car and press his brake real hard, so that it increases chances of the person behind learns a lesson.
· Or is it that lady who hasn't yet learnt driving properly and is out on the busy roads practicing; and hits a car from behind, and then blames the one in front for applying the brakes.
· Is it that guy on road who rides the bike as if he was riding it to win a race and forgets all about brakes and when the traffic suddenly stops, applies a screeching brake and, hits a vehicle and falls down from the bike. And then, in order to take the revenge, breaks the glass of the vehicle or get into a fight with the person in front.
· Is it the person in a tempo lorry who enjoys driving sideways rather than in a straight lane and in the turn leads to many jerky , screechy brakes by others.
· Is it the cab driver who drives the people to and from office at any time of the day or night and falls asleep on the highway driving at a high speed during middle of the night.
· Is it the driver who drives in the wrong lane at his convenience, and barges past you where you’ll least expect leaving you to struggle to control your vehicle.
. It it not the person who crosses the traffic light when it is gleaming red, and creates confusion for others on the road.
· Or is it the old people, past 72 years of age?
Agreed, the old people driving on the road may have slow reflexes, but have seen them driving slowly to suit their reflexes. So why is the anger against senior citizens of a certain age group? Why penalize someone whose role in the road accidents cannot be compared to the others whose driving licenses are more legalized. Old age in itself is a pain, and we increase the pain by making them handicapped, making them incapable to travel independently. How many homes with old people have chauffeurs available to drive their vehicles for them. Why are we making old people more dependent on younger ones? Why are we making them more prone to theft and robbery by increasing their dependency on drivers? And how safe anyways is keeping a driver for old people in a city like Delhi?
In a nutshell, few points worth pondering-
1. Are we prioritizing the reasons leading to a problem before making a law to resolve the problem.
2. Are we even trying to implement the laws which are already there. If yes, then how come everyday we see people driving in wrong lanes, skipping traffic lights and changing lanes without caring to look into the rear view mirrors?
2. Are we creating a new problem in our attempt to resolve another one?
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