Saturday, December 05, 2009

Power of Persistence

Been thinking a lot these days about Pune's traffic problems, and one thing that never ceases to impress me is how the sustained campaign from Pune Mirror and other newspapers focussing on stopping before the zebra lines at traffic signals have delivered results. When I first came to Pune, people didn't even stop at signals. That changed over time, but it was common to see vehicles inching ahead, making it impossible for pedestrians to cross, and often coming in the way of cross traffic.

That has significantly reduced, and the difference is there for everyone to see!

Mirror has now taken up the issue of helmets, but it's approach has been to point out the consequences. I am not sure too many people relate to that, unless you have seen a loved one suffer.

Wonder why the traffic police do not take up the issue. After all, the MV Act already makes helmets compulsory. We just need to implement it. It would save a lot more lives than seat belts do in bumper to bumper city traffic.

1 comment:

Ray said...

This is actually very pleasing to hear. I hope this cascades to other major cities of India as well. I wonder when the people of Gujarat (Surat specifically) will start heeding to advice about safety and better civic sense.

Good stuff